Q: First of all, please tell us your name, your parents’ name and your birthplace.

A: My name is Pi Kan Kham Dim. My father’s name is U Kain Za Hauk and my mother’s name is Daw Dim Pum Kyein.  My birthplace is Htoke Lai village in Tiddim Township [Chin State].

Q: Tell us about your education.

A: My first degree was a Bachelor of Law (LLB). I have also received a Diploma in Business Law (DBL) and Diploma in International Law (DIL). I also attended a civic course relating to politics at Myanmar Egress. In addition to this I have also attended political management courses at a school operated by Dr Nay Zin Latt.

Q: What social activities have you carried out before you run for election?

A: I worked as a lawyer, which is my profession.  In addition to this I also worked at an NGO doing work relating to my political experience. The UNCIC, which is related to child rights. I worked for two and half years making field trips to Chin State.

Q: Which constituency are you running in for the 2015 Election?

A: I will run from Tiddim Township’s State Constituency No 2.

Q: You have run for election in 2010. Which party did you represent and share with us your experiences?

A: Yes. I represented the NDF (National Democratic Force) in 2010. It was my first time running in the election and I ran from South Okkalapa Township in Yangon Region. Five of us ran in the election. At that time we had to compete against the Yangon Region Commander, U Aung Thein Linn, who was the Yangon Mayor and chairman of Yangon Region’s USDP (Union Solidarity and Development Party) so I have gained a lot of experience.

Q: As you have run representing a mainland party in 2010, why are running from the Zomi Party, which is an ethnic party, in 2015?

A: Yes. Thank you. When I was running for the mainland party, I felt that I wasn't able to participate as much as I had wanted. I’m not saying it was bad, but I started to know what I want to do for my people and my region after running as that mainland party’s candidate. This was the experience I had gained by running in the mainland party. That’s why I’m running in my own region now.

Q: Which party is your main competitor?

A: Seven candidates are running in Constituency No 2. They are from the USDP, Chin League for Democracy (CLD), the National Unity Party (NUP), the Chin National Democratic Party (CNDP), the Chin Progressive Party (CPP), and the ZCD.

Q: What’s the situation of the campaign?

A: The situation is good. We are visiting one village after another. We want the public to know about this on Election Day and receive their votes. My constituency has 70 villages.

I’m trying to reach all 70 villages, one village after another. Now, we are thinking of how to visit them within two months. They have only given us 60 days. The commission told us we can start the campaign on the 8th, but we had to submit a letter to the commission on the 8th. They only gave us permission on the 10th. We have very little time so we have to work very hard.

Q: What challenges do you face in campaigning?

A: I don’t have much to say about the challenges because we are running in the election for the people and work for them so I don’t want to call what we are overcoming as challenges. Even if it’s more difficult now, we have decided to enter this party to sacrifice ourselves so I don’t think of them as challenges.

Q: Is the public interested in the election as many areas in  Chin State have been affected by natural disaster?

A: Rather than saying the public is not interested, I believe they are interested. Even though they have been affected, the residents of Tiddim all work together including the departments, NGOs, CSOs, and parties so it seems like their spirits have been lifted.
The public have high spirits and they think if they elect someone in the election, that person can carry out tasks for them so it would be better. That’s why I don’t believe there is a lack of interest

Q: If you win, which areas will you prioritize for the public?

A: What I really want to do is administration of the rule of law and women and child rights. I also want to try my best to obtain Chin State’s share as stated in Table 2 of the constitution.

Q: What’s your view on women’s involvement in Chin politics?

A: We have given training to women and invited them to work together with us, but I think they still don’t have the spirit to get involved.

Q: What’s the main reason women should get involved in politics?

A: Whether in my family, project, or work, women are more concise than men in administration. They are able to accomplish the duties given to them and work in detail compared to men. So, women can work to accomplish more than men if they are given opportunities whether in politics or as an MP so our parliament really needs women.

Q: What’s your party’s expectation with regards to winning the election?

A: If possible, we expect to win in all townships we are running in.

Q: What message do you want to give to the public?

A: We have said a lot in the constituencies we have campaigned in. Nevertheless, I want to urge the public to vote for the candidate that can actually lead the public. Moreover, I want to tell them to have compassion for the role of women and vote for female candidates as a way of uplifting women’s development.

Translated by Thida Linn