CNI News
3 October 2025
Sai Htay Aung, Chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), said that despite facing threats ahead of the upcoming election, his party does not take them seriously.
The Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) was officially registered on May 10, 2013, during the previous civilian government. It has been in existence for more than 13 years and is recognized as the first political party representing the Shanni people. The party has contested elections in Kachin State, Sagaing Region, and Mandalay Region.
Sai Htay Aung told CNI News that although threats against the party persist, they have become routine. The more public support the party receives, the less such threats matter.
Opening of the TNDP party office
“For party organizing, there will certainly be difficulties. In places like Indawgyi, battles are taking place, and in some areas polling stations cannot even be established. KIA Colonel Naw Bu has also stated that elections will not be allowed in areas under the KIA control. That is an obstacle, of course. For example, in Myitkyina Township, places like Sinbo and Tarlaw are under KIA control, which makes it unlikely polling stations can be set up there.
The biggest challenge for our party is funding. We face financial difficulties in sustaining ourselves, and yes, there are also threats. But these threats have become routine, and we don’t take them seriously anymore. The more public support we receive, the less relevant the threats will become.”, he said.
On July 29, 2025, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, enacted the “Law on Protecting Against the Disruption, Obstruction, and Sabotage of Multiparty Democratic Elections.” Under this law, those found guilty face a minimum prison term of 10 years and up to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
TNDP meeting with the public
TNDP, based in Kachin State, plans to concentrate its efforts in Constituency 2 in the upcoming election.
Sai Htay Aung explained: “We have submitted 32 candidates for registration. The process is still under scrutiny and should be completed by October 1. Our party is doing well—we enjoy public trust and understand the sentiments of our people. I feel that people’s confidence in us has grown. Since we are based in Kachin State, and when constituencies were divided under PR (Proportional Representation), we were mostly grouped into Constituency 2. Therefore, we will focus our campaign efforts there.”
According to the new Political Parties Registration Law, TNDP re-registered as a party based in Kachin State and continues to operate within that framework.
In the first phase of elections scheduled for December 28, 2025, a total of 66 constituencies in Kachin State will be contested: 36 for the State Hluttaw, 18 for the Pyithu Hluttaw, and 12 for the Amyotha Hluttaw.
