Q: What have you prepared for your campaign?

A: Currently, I’m holding campaign rallies in respective areas. I’m going to run in Myitkyina so I have been helping out with the amendments and the requirements of the voter list.

Q: Are there any challenges in campaigning? If so, please tell us.

A: There are some challenges in campaigning. Now, parties have to rent venues to hold their campaign rallies. So, it has become quite difficult to get a venue. There are some small challenges like this.

Q: Have you encountered any difficulties that are being faced by eligible voters in Kachin State during your campaign? What are the main challenges for local residents?

A: As for the main challenges for the residents, some people are from faraway areas in Kachin areas. There are also cases of IDPs not living in IDP camps. They have no national ID or household registrations. Such kinds of people aren’t included on the voter list. In some areas, there are incorrect names on the voter list. The national IDs are correct and the house addresses are correct, but their names have been spelled in Burmese. We also found dead people’s names on the list. So, the people that want to vote have requested that they be allowed to vote.

The party has been helping out a lot with this issue. We didn’t make a special negotiation with the Union Election Commission, but we told the residents to ask for recommendations from the village and ward administration that show that they have been living in the area for more than 180 days. We told them that they can vote with these recommendations.

Q: Powerful parties are running in the constituencies your party is running in. What are the advantages and disadvantages for the KSDP in running against the competitors?

A: Our party’s weakness is the inability to have a strong budget and manpower like some powerful parties. But, we have been doing the best of our capabilities. No matter what it is, winning the election depends on the public’ choice.

Q: The ceasefire is a main policy of the KSDP. Now, the nationwide ceasefire agreement will be signed soon, but the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) won’t be included in the agreement. What will the party carry out for ceasefire if it wins the election?

A: As for ceasefire, the main definition of the NCA is ‘nationwide’. So it would be best if it could have participation from everyone.

Now, it’s only partial so we’re not that satisfied. The [government] needs not only to negotiate with the KIA, but also the other remaining armed groups that haven’t signed the agreement. Moreover, the groups that have signed the agreement need to definitely monitor the changes after signing the agreement with the government.

The remaining armed groups that haven’t signed the agreement will be monitoring these results. The most important thing is to have strong and concise principles. I don’t think we have them right now. So, both the government and the ethnic armed groups need to carry out their activities after setting down the principles.

Q: Will the resumption of skirmishes between the KIA and the Burmese army affect the election? Has the party prepared anything to prevent this?

Our party’s chairman has discussed this issue with the Union Election Commission’s chairman during his visit.

He has requested that authorities halt the wars and prevent them from taking place.

But, the election may be affected if these wars continued to occur. I think there will be interference against a free and fair election.

Q: What promises do you want to give to the residents of your constituency and for Kachin State as an Upper House candidate?

If I were to talk about my personal desire, there are many things I want and those I want to do. Many people have talked about making amendments and changes. They have been using that word quite frequently. I have accepted it as making changes and amendments.

We need to first change the things that need to be changed first before making the reforms. We need to reform the government and department mechanisms and carry out tasks for the development of the state, region, and country. The amendment part includes the amendment of the constitution.

The most important thing is for the election to be free and fair. If our party wins, we will join hands with parties that share the same policies and views as our party and carry out our next tasks. We will also work for the emergence of a true federal union.

Brief biography
Name – U Khun Sa
Age – 36
Party – Kachin State Democracy Party (KSDP)
Parliament – Upper House Constituency No 2
Education – LL.B (Law)
Race – Kachin
Occupation – High Court Lawyer