The Kachin State Progressive Party (KSPP) has started campaigning yet again for the 2010 polls despite lack of approval by Burma’s Union Election Commission (UEC).

The KSPP based in Kachin State, Northern Burma has already met UEC officials at least thrice about the approval.

KSPP party chairman Dr. Tu Ja. Photo: Kachin News Group.

UEC officials told us “We cannot give the approval but you can start campaigning now,” said a member of the KSPP.

KSPP began its election campaign again in Myitkyina, Manmaw (Bhamo) and Danai township yesterday after having stopped activities for nearly three months, he said.

The UEC allowed KSPP to campaign when they met on July 16 at Naypyitaw, added the party member.

The UEC has withheld the approval of the KSPP and two other Kachin political parties--- the Northern Shan State Progressive Party (NSPP) and the United Democracy Party-Kachin (UDP) presumably because the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) rejected the proposed Border Guard Force (BGF) by the regime.

KSPP leader Dr. Manam Tu Ja, who is former No. 2 vice chairman of KIO explained the problem of approval during a party meeting at the party headquarters in Myitkyina on July 3.

He said, they have to wait for the approval because the junta maintains that they are hoping KIO will change to BGF and the regime will respond accordingly.

He also said during the meetings with UEC in Naypyitaw they clearly mentioned that the party had no link with KIO. However, the junta continues to suspect KSPP of getting support from KIO.

KSPP leaders held discussions with UEC on May 7 and June 16 in Naypyitaw.

KSPP was founded in early 2009 by Kachin State Interim Committee (KSIC) which was formed by KIO and the New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K) which has transformed to BGF led by Zahkung Ting Ying and Kachin Nationals Consultative Assembly (KNCA).

The party now has about 50 branch offices around Kachin State with over 2,000 party members.

The party started its organizational activities in 2009 and will highlight the problem of the Irrawaddy Myitsone hydropower project, party Chairman Tu Ja has promised.

The junta-backed Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State (UDPKS) has been approved by UEC and is getting financial support from the regime.

UDPKS is the only Kachin political party, which has approval and is led by businessman Duwa Hkyet Hting Nan, a former member of junta’s Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

The UDPKS was formed with USDP members based in Kachin State following the suggestion of USDP general secretary Brig-Gen Thein Zaw, Minister of Post, Communication and Telegraphs, and U Aung Thaung, Minister of Industry-1, in June.