CNI News
21 Feb 2023
The Kachin Independence Army has sent for officials from the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (White Tiger) in Kachin State and warned them off running for election.
He learnt from his party members that the KIA warned his party officials in Kachin State off running for election and he wanted to request the KIA to permit political parties to do so without any restrictions, Chairman U Sai Aik Paung of the SNDP told the CNI.
KIA Spokesperson Col Naw Bu.
He told the CNI, "We don't exactly know why. We know what our officials said. They are scared. We would like to request the KIA to allow all political parties to run for election without any restrictions and worries.
The CNI contacted KIA Spokesperson Col Naw Bu for comments but he was not immediately available.
The KIA had announced that it would not allow any elections held by the junta to take place in Kachin State, Kachin Politician U Kwan Gaung Aung Kham told the CNI.
He told the CNI, "The KIA had already announced it would not allow elections held by the junta to take place in Kachin State. So, they will warn not only the SNDP but also other parties in areas under their control off standing for election. It may take action against those who will take part in elections."
An office of the SNDP.
There are many townships, in which the majority of residents are Shan people, in Kachin State and the SNDP won in such townships in the previous general election, U Sai Aik Paung told the CNI.
He said, "Officials from our partey in Kachin State are frightened and we cannot urge them to contest elections. If the KIA allows all political parties to take part in elections, we would be happy. I would like to request the KIA to allow all national brethren to contest elections without any restrictions. In the 2010 elections, we won six seats in Kachin State. We want to repeat such a success because the majority of residents in Mansi, Momauk, Bhamo, Mokaung and Mohnyin. However, armed organizations are powerful. Ethnic peoples should love one another."
The SNDP has planned to contest elections in at least six other regions and states in addition to Shan State including Kachin State, Yangon Region, Mandalay Region, Bago Region and Tanintharyi Region.
