20 May 2010: The representative of a Chin ethnic party called the Ethnic National Development Party (ENDP) was officially registered on 11 May with the Union Election Commission for the 2010 general elections in Burma.

ENDP was set up by Chin people and the Chin tribe - the Mara people in Thantlang, Matupi and Paletwa townships in Chin state. The party boasts a chairman and 14 members for the moment.

Mr. Van Cin told Khonumthung News that “The main purpose of establishing the ENDP party is to unite the Mara tribe with the Chin ethnic group.”

Although Mara people had set up the National Progressive Party (NPP) and tried to register as the NPP party with the Election Commission on April 10 to 13, now it has been changed into the Ethnic National Development Party (ENDP) and registered officially.

The Mara people had set up the Mara People’s Party in the 1990 elections, but the military junta had abolished the party.

Similarly, the Khami tribe in Chin state has applied for registration to the Election Commission in the name of the Khami National Development Party on 17 May.

Till date, 38 parties have applied to the Election Commission. Of these, 28 political parties have been approved by the Election Commission to contest the elections later this year.

There are four political parties – the Chin National Party, Chin Progressive Party, MRO OR Khami National Solidarity Organization (MKNSO) and the Ethnic National Development Party in Chin recognized by the Election Commission to contest the general election.-