Several political parties are jostling for space and crowding the capital of Shan State North, Lashio. They represent different ethnic groups such as Wa, Shan, Kachin, Lahu, Palaung and pro-junta elements, according to local sources.
So far there are nine parties that have opened offices:
1. The Shan National Democratic Party (SNDP). The branch chairman is Sai Aung Gyi (60) and Sai Kham Leng (75), former EC member of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) is said to be its candidate.
2. The Lahu National Democratic Party (LNDP). Its chairman is Jaha Shay (56) and Daniel Aung, elected MP of Mongpiang in 1990 will be the party’s advisor, said a source close to the leadership.
The party’s office is located in Quarter No#1, on Tineyone Road.
3. The National Unity Party (NUP). Its chairman is U Paw Oo (60).
4. The Kachin party called Northern Shan State Progressive Party (NSSPP) led by U Changkhaw (60), former state councilor during the socialist days. It is yet to be approved by the Election Commission.
5. The Palaung (Taang) National Party (PNP) and led by Ai Mong (55), former leader of Palaung State Liberation Army (PSLA) which was forced to surrender in 2005.
6. The Kokang Democracy and Unity Party (KDUP). The party’s office is in Quarter#12, known by local people as Lashio Long (Big Lashio).
“Lo Xingguang (60) is the party’s Chairman,” said another source. “They completed their party’s opening ceremony on 3 July 2010.”
7. Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). Its branch Chairman is Naw Kham Oo, between 50 and 60, secretary of junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Association (UWSA) in Kyaukme Township.
The USDP office is also located in Quarter No.1, near the independence monument.
8. The Wa Democratic Party (WDP), led by Khun Tun Lu (60), who won the only National Unity Party (NUP) seat in Shan State in Hopang township in 1990.
9. The Wa National and Unity Party (WNUP). Its office is located on Paramee Road, in Quarter No#1. Its patron is Philip Hsam (71), former state councilor.
The WNUP was formerly the Wa National Development Party (WNDP), one of the 10 parties that were recognized by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) after the1990 elections.
Its chairman is said to be Luke Pao, 47-year-old, according to Myanmar Times report in June.
The WNUP said that it will not contest in Wa Self Administered Region as most areas are still not “stable”, according to Philip quoted in Myanmar Times.
He said the WNUP is focusing on securing seats in the Shan State Hluttaw, rather than the Pyitaungsu Hluttaw, or national parliament. The Lashio-based party expects to field candidates in Lashio, Kengtung, Tang Yan and Hopang townships, where there are significant numbers of Wa people.
So far five of the nine mentioned parties have already held party’s opening ceremonies: the SNDP, LNDP, WNUP, KDUP and USDP. Nevertheless, none of them is reported to have started campaigning.
However, the SNDP is believed to have filled its 1,000 member quota as it has a branch office in every township it will contest, said a source.
The Northeastern Region Command Commander was said to have been scolded by Naypyitaw after receiving reports that the SNDP had opened many branch offices, according to an informed youth in Mandalay.
According to him, the party has much support from local people in Shan State. “Most people say the party will be at least the second winner like the SNLD that contested the 1990 elections,” he said.
There are so far 11 political parties that will contest in the whole of Shan State, North, East and South: Kayan National Party (KNP), Shan National Democratic Party (SNDP), Taang (Palaung) National Party (PNP), Wa National Unity Party (WNUP), Wa Democratic Party (WDP), Northern Shan State Progressive Party (NSSPP), Kokang Democracy and Unity Party (KDUP), 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).
