Federal Union Party getting ready for national elections

Khithar Non – After getting the green light from the Union Election Commission (UEC) to run in the 2015 national election, the Federal Union Party (FUP) is set to select its executive committee members next week, according to Saw Than Myint, one of the founders.

“We have to choose party’s executive committee members within 30 days. Then we have to apply for party registration,” Saw Than Myint said.

The FUP is comprised of 16 ethnic political parties, some of which include the Shan Nationality Democratic Party, Chin National Party, Rakhine Nationalities Development Party, All Mon Regions Democracy Party, and Phalon Sawaw Democratic Party.

After receiving approval from UEC on Oct. 28, a FUP meeting is planned for Nov. 6 to select the members and further discussions on the party’s foundation and future goals.

“When we select the executive committee members, we will include representatives from 16 political parties. And, because (parties from) Tavoy, Leesuu and (the) ABSDF (All Burma Students’ Democratic Party) will also join the party, we now have to select representatives from 19 political parties,” Saw Than Myint said.

Nai Chan Htoy, former joint-secretary for New Mon State Party, and Nai Khin Maung, formally an executive committee member of All Mon Democratic Party (AMDP), are FUP representatives, according to Nai Ngwe Thein, AMDP chairman.

“We have to leave our parties, if we join the FUP. So, now Nai Khin Maung has left his party (AMDP) and Nai Chan Htoy already left the New Mon State Party,” Nai Ngwe Thein said.

According to Saw Than Myint, the FUP’s mandate is to advocate for equality for the whole of Burma, a legitimate federal union, and freedom in politics, economics, society and religion.