Dhaka:  Given the latest application submitted with the Election Commission by the Rakhine Nationals Progressive Party on May 4, three political parties in Arakan State so far are in the fray in the  forthcoming election.

Earlier, the Mro and Khami National Solidarity Organization, MKNSO, and the Myanmar Rakhine State National Force Party were the only two that had registered and were approved by the EC.

The MKNSO applied to the EC on 19 April and was approved on 28 April, while the Myanmar Rakhine State National Force Party applied with the EC on 28 April and was approved on 4 May.

The Rakhine Nationals Progressive Party is now awaiting approval from the EC to enter the next stage of forming a political party.

The Rakhine Nationals Progressive Party was formed by educated Arakanese living in Rangoon and Rakhine State. The main aim and objectives of the party are to eradicate poverty in Arakan and develop Arakanese culture, including literature, said a leader of the party over telephone to Narinjara.

In the 1990 elections, nearly 20 political parties in Arakan State registered with the Election Commission to contest. The Arakan League for Democracy won 11 parliamentary seats in Arakan State, but they are not registering with the EC  in this election. It is boycotting the election due to the controversial election laws and the constitution approved in 2008.