The junta has approved the Mon Unity Party’s (MUP) political party registration, but as armed conflicts intensify across Myanmar it raises questions about the MUP’s policies going forward.
As the junta faces significant setbacks nationwide, the junta-aligned Union Election Commission (UEC) approved the Mon Unity Party's (MUP) registration application, which had been pending for over six months.
The MUP applied for registration in late February 2023, but only received its official registration in accordance with Section 9 of the Political Parties Registration Law on 9 September 2024. It was assigned the registration number 52.
Following the MUP's successful registration its spokesperson Nai Than Shwe said to Than Lwin Times: “Now that our party's registration has been accepted, the main advantage is that we can openly present the current political landscapes to the public. This allows us to engage more with the public and seek their advice on the party's future policies and ideas.”
He added that decisions regarding MUP's future actions, including plans to participate in the election, will be made only after the party’s Central Committee convenes.
He said: "Certainly, there are many challenges ahead. Since the Central Committee has not yet convened after the approval of our party's registration, we do not know the exact future policies.”
But, he also admitted that now the party is registered with the junta it might face more security issues. He said: "We also anticipate potential security difficulties, especially concerning the party's travel plans.”
The MUP is a prominent ethnic party representing the Mon people and, prior to the coup it received strong support from the Mon community.
After the coup, the junta invited two representatives from the MUP to join its central and state administrative mechanism, an offer the party accepted. These representatives continue to be involved in the coup regime to this day.
As a result, support for the MUP among the Mon people has dropped significantly, and the party's political role is gradually diminishing, according to Mon political analysts.
The MUP's decision to apply for registration as a political party under the junta's rule also implies an acknowledgment of and support for the 2008 constitution, which allows the Myanmar Military to seize power at any time.
Talking of the constitution the the New Mon State Party - Anti Dictatorship's (NMSP-AD) spokesperson, Nai Banyar Mon said: "In our view, the 2008 Constitution has been defunct since the military coup in 2021. We, the NMSP-AD believe that any attempt to revive this constitution must be opposed. Our stance on the election aligns with this perspective.”
There has been fighting between the junta and revolutionary forces in the Mon State townships of Kyaikto, Bilin, Thaton, Kyaikmaraw, Mudon, Thanbyuzayat and Ye.
Previously, in the 2020 election, the MUP contested seats in five states and regions and won 12 seats. But, under the junta’s new party registration rules the MUP can only contest seats in Mon State.
Currently amongst Mon political parties successfully registered with the junta the MUP and the Women Party (Mon) will contest Mon State seats whilst the Mon Progress Party (MPP) will contest seats in Karen State.
