The military- backed USDP chairman visits Rakhine State for elections

Narinjara News, 14 March 2023

The military- backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) chairman U Khin Yi embarked on a journey to Rakhine State to access the military council elections.

During his trip, the USDP chairman met with the party supporters hailing from seven Rakhine townships.

"I know that the USDP chief came and discussed with members and and town officials in Thandwe,” said a resident of Thandwe.

On 12 March, the USDP stated that its chairman held a meeting with 80 former party members from seven townships at the USDP office on previous day.

The former party members from Kyaukphyu, Thandwe, Ann, Gwa, Toungok, Ramree (Yanbye), and Manaung were present in the meeting. They discussed strategies for cooperation to ensure the success in the upcoming elections. The party’s strength and weakness were also
discussed.

Narinjara News tried to contact U Kyaw Zin, chairman of USDP’s Thandwe committee to get more details, but it failed.

"We donot know about U Khin Yi’s travel plans. The Thandwe city authorities have taken special measures to prevent any kind of information leak,” said another Thandwe resident.

U Phay Than, a Rakhine veteran politician, said that the USDP has been backed by the military rulers and taking advantage of non-existence of NLD supporters, the party is expecting an easy win in the polls.

"The USDP leaders have been mobilizing its members from various townships,” said the politician, adding that the majority of Rakhinepeople are not interested in participating in  elections as they have little trust in the electoral process. Many of them are supporting the
ULA/AA led armed movements rather than joining the political activities.

The military council is now preparing for a national election. It overthrew the NLD led civilian government on 1 February 2021, which won a multi-party democratic exercise allegeing vote frauds.

On 26 January this year, the military regime issued new guidelines for political parties. Arakan Front Party (AFP), led by Dr. Aye Maung, is a dominant party in Rakhine State and it registered for the upcoming elections. Arakan National Party (ANP) is still thinking about their
participation.

Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) has already stated that it would not take part in the elections under the rule of militaries.

Mro National Development Party and Kha Mee National Development Party have already decided to register with the election commission.

Rakhine People's Government (ULA/AA), which enjoys visible supports from the people in Rakhine State, declared that it resorted to armed struggle as many Rakhine issues cannot be resolved with elections alone. The group opined that as the upcoming elections will be
conducted by the military council, it would not help the Rakhine people in a real sense.