Narinjara News, 14 March 2023

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

During his trip, the USDP chairman metwith the party supporters hailing fromseven Rakhine townships.

"I know that the USDP chief came and discussed withmembers and and townofficials 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 seventownships at the USDP office on previousday.

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

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

"We donot know about U Khin Yi’s travelplans. The Thandwe city authoritieshave taken special measures to prevent any kind of information leak,” saidanother Thandwe resident.

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

"The USDP leaders have been mobilizing its members from various townships,” said the politician, addingthat the majority of Rakhinepeople are not interested in participating in  electionsas they have little trust in theelectoral 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 anational election. It overthrewthe NLD led civilian government on 1 February2021, which won amulti-party democratic exercise allegeing vote frauds.

On 26 January thisyear, the military regime issued new guidelinesfor political parties. ArakanFront Party (AFP), led by Dr. Aye Maung, isa dominant party in Rakhine State and it registered for theupcoming elections. ArakanNational Party (ANP) is still thinking about their
participation.

Arakan League for Democracy (ALD) has already statedthat it would not take partin the elections under the rule of militaries.

Mro National Development Party and Kha Mee NationalDevelopment Party have alreadydecided to register with the election commission.

Rakhine People's Government (ULA/AA), which enjoysvisible supports from thepeople in Rakhine State, declared that it resorted to armed struggleas many Rakhine issues cannot be resolved with elections alone. The group opined that as the upcomingelections will be
conducted by the military council, it would nothelp the Rakhine peoplein a real sense.