In the midst of raging controversy over the party’s choice of its election symbol, the Burmese junta-backed Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State (UDPKS) was approved as an official party on August 2 by the Union Election Commission (UEC). The party had applied for using the Kachin traditional Manau emblem.

UDPKS was floated with former members of the junta-sponsored Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in late June at the regime’s insistence.

“The approval regarding the party’s registration came yesterday,” said Kachin popular singer and current UDPKS general secretary Hpaula Kam Hpang. UDPKS leader and businessman Duwa Hkyet Hting Nan and all members are former USDP members.

The Kachin party had applied for registration to contest the 2010 election on July 23 and they received approval within 10 days from the UEC.

When the party was applying for registration they mentioned their wish to use the party logo on a green background coloured flag with three white stars representing Kachin, Shan and Burmese ethnic people, said the UDPKS secretary.

The party flag also represents the traditional symbol of all Kachin people the Manau emblem, which is a circle with two paddy ears, he added.

The choice of logo by UDPKS – the Manau emblem - was widely criticized by Kachin people. The Myitkyina based Kachin Cultural Center Committee (KCCC) has sent a letter of objection to UEC. But the objection was over-ruled.

“They (UEC) said we can complain regarding the use of the party’s logo so that is why we complained. Now the Commission has allowed using it,” said KCCC general secretary Kaman Du Naw.

Hkyet Hting Nan, chairman of UDPKS. Photo: Kachin News Group.

Meanwhile, UDPKS is preparing its first step to open the party’s branch offices around Kachin State after the approval.

However till today, other Kachin parties continue to wait for approval. Among them are the Kachin State Progressive Party (KSPP) which was formed in early 2009 by support from a lot of Kachin political groups such as the Kachin State Interim Committee (KSIC), which was formed by KIO and the New Democratic Army-Kachin which has been transformed into BGF led by Zahkung Ting Ying and Kachin Nationals consultative Assembly (KNCA).

The Northern Shan State Progressive Party (NSPP) and United Democracy Party (UDP) are also awaiting approval from UEC.