According to a new law promulgated by Myanmar’s military regime on January 31, political parties must apply for registration within 60 days of the law going into effect if they want to continue to exist as a legal political party. The law states that if registration is not filed within 60 days, the political party is automatically dissolved.

Since February 1, 52 political parties have registered with the junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC); five of them are from Arakan State.

DMG interviewed U Ba Shein, a top figure within the Arakan National Party (ANP) and member of the party’s policy committee, about the party’s decision to compete in the upcoming election, in defiance of many of the regime’s critics.

DMG: What do you want to say about the criticism over the ANP’s decision to register to contest the junta-sponsored election?

U Ba Shein: The military regime has not said anything specific about the planned election. The regime enacted a new law regarding the registration of political parties, so in order for the parties to continue to exist, there are parties that register with the junta’s Union Election Commission for the election and parties that do not.

As the ANP, it is necessary to continue to stand, so we decided to register with the UEC to compete in the junta-sponsored election. Previously, the ANP could apply as a political party nationally, but now, according to the new registration law, it can be registered as a political party that only covers Arakan State.

I don’t want to say anything about the people saying they are not interested in the political parties and elections in Arakan State. What percentage of people say they are not interested in the junta-organised election? Without knowing this, it is not easy to say that the people are not interested in the junta-organised election.

DMG: The ANP registered to contest the junta-sponsored election only at the state level. Why?

U Ba Shein: There are Arakanese ethnic groups and other non-Arakanese ethnic groups in Arakan State. Various ethnic groups can participate in the ANP as party members, and if there is an election, they can participate as a representative of the ANP.

Although the ANP focuses on the identity of the Arakanese people, it is not a party formed to represent only the Arakanese people. It is a party formed with the aim of working on resource development, including all the ethnic groups in Arakan State.

DMG: Since the USDP [Union Solidarity and Development Party] has been organising in the southern townships of Arakan State, where the NLD [National League for Democracy, which will not be contesting the junta-sponsored election] was strong, do you have any plans to make a play for the south?

U Ba Shein: Traditionally, nationalism is strong in northern Arakan State. Therefore, when the political parties are campaigning, they have to focus on the people of northern Arakan State. Nationalism is strong in northern Arakan State, while nationalistic politics in southern Arakan State is traditionally weak.

Just following the trend of these national political parties is not very effective in developing the identity of local ethnic groups in Arakan State. The Arakan National Party was established by focusing on the identity of the Arakanese people. Now, after the 2010 election, when the ANP was established, the political awakening of the Arakanese people has been the same for more than 10 years.

During the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League era, the people of southern Arakan State voted the most, and they also voted for the USDP during the USDP era. During the NLD era, the people of the townships in southern Arakan State voted more for the NLD.

Since the 2020 election, the people of Arakan have been supporting Rakhine political parties significantly more than before.

DMG: The National Unity Government [NUG] does not recognise the junta-sponsored election and says it will take action against the parties that have registered to run in the election. Do you have anything to say about that?

U Ba Shein: We only know that the election will be held according to the plan laid out by the State Administration Council, which currently manages the three branches of government in Myanmar. We do not need to respond to the opinions and attitudes of other organisations that do not hold elections.

DMG: What would you like to add and say to make Arakanese people interested in the election?

U Ba Shein: After General Ne Win’s military regime, people voted in the 1990 election in the multi-party era, as well as in the 2010 election. Also, people voted in the 2015 and 2020 elections.

The work of voting is the work of the people, and those who believe this vote in elections. When voting, it is traditional to vote for your favourite organisations that you support. In this regard, we have nothing special to say to motivate the people. But during our election campaign and party organisation period, party activities and processes will appear.