The All Mon Region Democracy Party (AMRDP) has just released a set of partisan songs in the hope of winning over a few Mon constituents in the ensuing general election on November 7, 2010.

The campaign album will be distributed all over Mon and Karen State and Tenasserim Division, says popular celebrity, Smile Chan (aka) Jamoi Chan. The music for the songs, a mixed assortment of light and heavy rock, pop, and marching band flute music with percussion, was composed by AMRDP leaders and a host of other Mon singers who told Kaowao that the CD was just recorded in the past two weeks in Yangon for the November 7 general election and is on its way to Mon State for distribution.

The purpose of the songs is to create a unified spirit of change with most of the words reflecting the Mons struggle for their rights and freedom, says AMRDP Chairman, Nai Ngwe Thein (Janu Mon).  Nai Ngwe Thein is a well-known song writer and Nai Kyan Yit (Layeh Hong Mon) is one of the most popular singers in the Mon community.

“It’s fantastic and I am very glad to help my people and the leaders of the AMRDP,” Smile Chan said, ‘Vote for the Mon’ is one of the songs I sing in this album which expresses my dream for the Mon people.”

A host of other famous Mon singers, Layeh Hong Mon, Agga, Eco Tara, Min Thetka, Ms. Jondae Ong and Ms. Pon Dewi are also featured in the album.

The ensemble were disappointed that they couldn’t include the popular Mon singer, Lawee, after they were unable to match his voice to the music with confidence and was replaced by Suriya Marn.

A well-known Burmese singer Orange (Lein Maw Thee), who hails from Kyaikmayaw, also contributed one short ditty in Burmese.

The AMRDP’s Chairman Nai Ngwe Thein expects that about 80 per cent of the Mon people who will vote chose the AMRDP because of their promise to create initiatives for social development, democratic and ethnic rights, while reforming the agriculture economy to a more market-oriented economy. The Mon Party is led by 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.

However, Mon National Democratic Front and New Mon State Party, the two main political Mon parties, strongly oppose the general election.