Moulmein -- The All Mon Region Democracy Party expects to win seats in the Mon area in the forthcoming 2010 general election, says Nai Ngwe Thein, the party leader during the first round of his party's campaign.

The AMRDP’s Chairman, Nai Ngwe Thein, told a Kaowao reporter that he felt encouraged after talking to local people and Buddhist monks, who warmly welcomed them during the party’s first public campaign event held in mid June.

Nai Ngwe Thein explained that the party’s platform is to work for democratic and ethnic rights, social development, while creating opportunities for those who wish to develop a free market economy.

Another leader Dr. Banya Aung Moe, on the other hand, says the AMRDP will face an uphill task in trying to raise funds, which are needed to run a political campaign.  They will need to cover traveling costs as well as pay the rent of the local and head offices.  “This is a huge logistic task to run all these activities before the election.  We hope to raise these (funds) from membership fees and donations from the local business community. There are about three million Mon who speak Mon in this predominately Mon area, but there are many who cannot speak Mon.  If only one per cent become members, we will be able to raise the funds needed for the party easily,” he added.

The AMRDP plans to contest outside Mon State in Pago, Taninthayi (Tenasserim) Divisions and Karen State wanting to nominate 42 candidates to contest in Mon State and 13 in Pago, Taninthayi Divisions and Karen State.  It will contest in three legislative bodies: the People’s Parliament, the National Parliament and the States Assembly.

The Mon Party is led by 15 leaders including Nai Janu Mon (aka) Nai Ngwe Thein, Dr. Min Hla Aung, Nai Saik, Col. Lawee Ong (aka) Nai Myint Swe, Nai San Tin, Dr. Min Nwe Soe and Dr. Banya Aung Moe.  The Union Election Commission (UEC) officially allowed it to form a political party on May 24, 2010.

The Mon National Democratic Front and the New Mon State Party, the two main political parties, strongly oppose the forthcoming 2010 election and the 2008 Constitution.