The main challenge faced by ethnic political parties is contesting against the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), said local sources in Shan State, especially in Shan State South and East.

Currently the only party to be represented in almost every township in Shan State East and South is the USDP. According to the junta, if there is only one party and no opponent in a constituency, there will be no elections and its candidate will automatically be recognized as its representative.

The ethnic parties face difficulties in garnering support at the grass roots level amongst their constituents, who are often found struggling for their livelihood and without having completed their education. Engaging the voters and fighting indifference will be a continuous battle for the ethnic parties as the election date nears.  The Election Commission directive is an added obstruction which requires all parties, except for the USDP, to submit detailed applications for permission to campaign in townships at least a week before their intended visit.

To further illustrate the point; in most of the township in Shan State East only USDP branch offices are reported to have opened so far. To date, no other parties are reported to have arrived, according to a local resident in Mongton Township, opposite Chiangmai’s Chiangdao district.

However, in Shan State South’s Mongnai Township, there are now two parties: the Shan National Democratic Party (SNDP) and the USDP.

The SNDP opened its branch office in the Mongnai Township yesterday. Sai Zaw Long, (40) is its branch office chairman and has registered over 50 members so far.

The SNDP intends to contest in 40 townships in Shan State but said that one of its biggest challenges so far is finding the financial and logistical resources to be able to travel in Shan State South, according to a party member.

“It is very difficult to travel from place to place in the east. Transportation cost is also high and it will cost lot of money,” a member told SHAN in earlier.

The SNDP is also under pressure to choose a candidate for the elections – whose success will be dependent on whether they are well-respected enough locally to be considered suitable as a candidate. The SNDP said it is trying its best to get to every township in the Shan State as soon as possible to start putting candidates forward for consideration.

The SNDP has finished opening branch offices in 15 townships in Shan State North so far and has been continuing to open branch offices and to recruit more members in Shan State East and South and Kachin State as well as Mandalay and Sagaing divisions now. (There are 23 townships in Shan State North: four Wa, two Kokang and two Palaung have been designated as self-administered areas. The SNDP has promised not to field its candidates there.)

The parties that will contest in Shan State South are so far: Kayan National Party (KNP), Shan National Democratic Party (SNDP), Pa-O National Organization (PNO), Inn National Development Party (INDP), Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and National Unity Party (NUP), National Democratic Force (NDF), Union Democracy Party (UDP) and Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics (UMFNP).

Of all the political parties that will contest the forthcoming general elections, ethnic parties are reported to have gained much support and raised hopes of the people, especially in the areas where they are dominant, say locals.