The election scenario in Chin State, Burma is hotting up with three political parties in the fray now. After the Chin National Party (CNP) registered with the Burmese Election Commission on 7 April, two other Chin political parties, the Chin Progressive Party (CPP) and Khami National Solidarity Organization (MKNSO) also registered with the Commission on 9 April.

According to the Chin World News Group, in the Chin Progressive Party, Mr. Lian Ce, is Chairman in Matupi township, Mr. Zung Hleithang, is Vice-Chairman in Falam town, Mr. Dai Thung, is General Secretary in Matupi township and the other members are No Than Kap, Khuang Lian, Con Kheng and retired government employees.

Mr. Lian Ce retired as chief of police intelligence department, Mr. Dai Thung is former secretary of the Town Peace and Development Council (TPDC) of Matupi township, Mr. No Than Kap was expelled from the Chin National Front and was arrested by the Indian government and handed over to Burma, but now is the founder of a Bible school in Yangon city.

The CPP will have candidates for all townships in Chin state for the forthcoming election and will hold its executive meeting on 24 April.

The MKNSO had fought the 1990 general elections in Burma and it won one seat. Now it’s trying to put up candidates for the Khami ethnic group. Similarly, the Mara people in Thantlang township, Matupi township and Paletwa township are trying to form a political party that can represent the Mara people in the polls.

Nineteen political parties have already registered with the Election Commission to contest the elections later this year and the rest are waiting for the junta’s permission.

Some of these are 88-Generation Students and Youths (Union of Myanmar), 88 Myanmar Democratic Party for a New Society, Peace and Diversity Party, Modern People’s Party, National Politics League (Union of Myanmar), Democratic Party (Myanmar), Union National Politics Alliance Organization, National Unity Party, Karen People’s Party, Pa - O National Organization, Chin National Party, Chin Progressive Party, Kachin State Progressive Party (KSPP), MRO or Khami National Solidarity Organization (MKNSO),Pa laung National Party, Wa Democratic Party, Shan National Democratic Party.