Members of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) led by former general Thein Sein in Karenni State have reportedly restricted members of the Kayan National Party (KNP), one of the ethnic nationalities in Shan State and a party that will contest in the 7 November polls, from conducting campaigns in the areas, according to Khun Bo Bo, coordinator of Kayan National Development Foundation.

“They [USDP members] did not provide any explanation for their restrictions,” Khun Bo Bo said. “But it is clear that the USDP is cheating.”  

According to him, the party will contest in the lower house and state legislature. The party Chairman U Eugene is expected to be a candidate for the lower house and Khun Nali from Dimawso in Karenni State is to contest for the state legislature.

The party office is based in Phekhon (Fai Khun) in Shan State South and led by Chairman U Eugene a native of Phekhon who is also chairman of Kayan Literature and Culture Association. The party expects to field candidates and contest in townships where there are significant numbers of Kayan people such as Phekhon in Shan State South, Thandaung in Karen (Kayin) State, Dimawso township in Karenni (Kayah) State and Pyinmana in Madalay Division, according to another Kayan group Kayan New Generation Youth (KNGY).

Among those townships, the largest population is in Dimawso and Phekhon townships. According to KNGY’s statistics, the Kayan population is around 402,000 across from the country, said Khun Robinson, head of the KNGY’s Information department.

The main opponent for the KNP is the National Unity Party (NUP) and United Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), he said.  “Another challenge is the party doesn’t have enough funds.”

“The party’s condition is not so good as they were banned from campaigning in DiMawso and there are not many Kayan people in Pyinmana and Thandaung anymore as most people had fled from forced relocations,” Khun Bo Bo said.

Thandaung was a township that the Kayan party won the most votes in the 1990 elections, according to him.

Regarding the KNP, some villagers say it is best to have their own party than having nothing, he said. “But most people don’t support the setting up of a party to contest for seats as there will be no benefit for the ethnic nationalities.”