Political parties wanting to contest the elections in Shan State South, where most of the countryside is under the anti-Naypyitaw Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South’s control, are reportedly nervous about campaigning in the areas after learning of the group’s statement that it was against any party set up to contest the elections planned by Naypyitaw, according to sources close to a party in Shan State South.
“Every party including the Shan party is concerned about the SSA’s possible reaction,” said a member of the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), who requested anonymity. “They are afraid to campaign not only in the outskirts but even downtown,” he said.
On 26 May, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the political wing of the SSA South, announced that it would not “support and recognize” the forthcoming 2010 elections and it is also against new parties being set up to contest the elections.
It said, “Shan State citizens who are standing for elections for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the offshoot of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, and the (former Burma Socialist Program Party turned) National Unity Party (NUP) will not also be recognized and supported by the RCSS.”
Given the announcement, there have not been many reports of campaigns in Shan State South till this day, the source added.
Parties that will contest in Shan State South so far are: the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), Pa-O National Organization (PNO), Inn National Development Party (INDP), Lahu National Development Party (LNDP), Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and National Unity Party (NUP).
The SNDP has declared it will not contest in areas designated by the 2008 constitution as self-administered zones/region of Danu, Kokang, Pa-O, Palaung and Wa. They are:
* Danu Self-Administered Zone: Pindaya and Ywa-ngan townships
* Kokang Self-Administered Zone: Laogai and Kungjang townships
* Palaung Self-Administered Zone: Namhsan and Mantong townships
* Pa-O Self-Administered Zone: Faikhun (Pekhon), Hopong and Hsihseng townships
* Wa Self-Administered Region: Hopang, Mongmai, Pangwai, Napharn, Panghsang and Markmang (Metman) townships
At present, the SNDP has over 1,000 members from across the country, according to a source close to members in Shan State North’s Muse Township.
The party has been campaigning in other townships of states and regions that it is planning to contest since it was granted permission by the Election Commission on 26 May.
A party member in Muse said, “The SNDP believes that to build a genuine democracy, there must be principles that guarantee equality, freedom, justice and non-discrimination.”
The party’s objectives are: 1) To build a genuine democracy by peaceful means, 2) To build unity among ethnic nationalities ,3) To guarantee equal basic human rights, 4)To develop every ethnic nationality’s literature and culture, 5) To work for realistic goals, 6) To focus on common interests, 7) To keep the party’s goals and programmes flexible.
