CNI News

14 August 2025

He was banned from contesting elections after being arrested for high treason during the National League for Democracy (NLD) government, and he would only be allowed to contest the elections if the President lifts the ban, Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), told CNI News. 

Dr. Aye Maung was arrested and imprisoned by the NLD government in January 2018, claiming that his speeches at a ceremony marking the 233rd anniversary of the fall of the Rakhine Kingdom in Rathedaung, northern Rakhine State, was the same as high treason.

Dr. Aye Maung, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

The NLD government then charged Dr. Aye Maung with high treason under sections 121, 171, and 172 of the Constitution and defamation of the state under sections 505(a) and 505(b) of the Constitution, sentenced him to 20 years in prison, disqualified him from the Hluttaw, and declared him ineligible to run the election in future election.

Then, on February 12, 2021, Dr. Aye Maung was released on pardon by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Therefore, Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), told CNI News that he would only be allowed to contest the election if Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who is currently acting president, pardons him under Article 204(a) of the Constitution.

While seeing a statement that Dr. Aye Maung has no right to run the election

“I don’t have the right to contest elections according to the law.  I have been consecuted with high treason and defamaition of the state. 88(a) needs to be re-examined to see if it is a crime.According to Section 204 (a) of the Constitution, the President has the authority to grant pardon for any offence. I'm not sure how the President will decide. If I was granted amnesty under Section 204(a), I think I would contest the upcoming election." he said.

Dr. Aye Maung has formed the Arakan Front Party (AFP) and is seeking to contest elections in Rakhine State, scheduled for December 2025 and January 2026.