The military council plans to utilize the Counter-Terrorism Suppression Forces it has established for election security purposes in the upcoming 2025 elections.
This was stated during the meeting between the National Solidarity and Peace-making Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and 51 political parties held in Naypyidaw on December 5 and 6.
During the meeting, discussions included topics such as amendments to the 2008 Constitution, election-related and security matters, and political parties’ experiences from their visits to India.
Independent Mon News Agency interviewed Nai Myo Tint Lwin, a leader from the Mon Progressive Party who attended the meeting, regarding the topics discussed during the meeting between the National Solidarity and Peace-making Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) and political parties.
Question: What were the main points of discussion at the meeting you attended?
Answer: The discussion focused on four main points: 1) Drafting amendments to the 2008 Constitution, 2) The delegation’s visit to India, 3) Building a Federal Democratic Union, and 4) Election and security matters, mainly related to security preparations for the upcoming 2025 elections.
These four categories covered a total of 72 discussion points. Specifically, five points were related to drafting constitutional amendments, eleven points addressed democracy-building discussions inspired by the India visit, twenty-seven points focused on democracy and federalism construction, and thirty points pertained to election and security issues.
However, since no final decisions have been made, detailed information cannot yet be disclosed.
Question: What instructions or remarks were made regarding election and security matters among the four key points?
Answer: Political parties broadly discussed election and security matters. In terms of security, opinions were divided. Some appreciated the military-provided security, while others disagreed. This topic sparked significant debate. The final remarks highlighted that about 7,000 members of the Counter-Terrorism Suppression Forces aged between 35 and 65 nationwide. These forces are not armed groups. Separately, an armed security force of around 3,000 personnel, consisting of trained members, will also be involved.
Approximately 1,000 members of the trained security group will provide security for the elections. Other regions and states can request security support if needed. Training and salaries will be provided for those participating in security operations.
These forces, referred to as the Counter-Terrorism Suppression Force, will not wear military uniforms but uniforms in blue or dark blue tones. The Peace-Making Committee clarified that this group will ensure security during the elections.
Question: Regarding security, what current issues are political parties facing, and how is security coordination planned to address these challenges?
Answer: The current situation has not been clearly stated yet. Some political parties say that since the parliament cannot be convened and other actions are not possible, nothing should be done yet. They argue that the political landscape is being restricted, leaving political parties unable to do anything, with no security guaranteed. Additionally, there is no interest from anyone in organizing party activities during this time of rising prices and limited job opportunities. They also suggest that elections should not be held yet, emphasizing that elections are not the solution to political problems. However, if elections are to be held, Russia, Ukraine, and Thailand have expressed their willingness to assist.
According to their statements, efforts will be made to ensure the 2025 election happens, scheduled for November 2025.
Question: What proposals, discussions, and demands have been made by political parties?
Answer: Discussions have mainly focused on democracy and federalism. Regarding election security, 17 groups have participated in discussions. Notably, there seems to be agreement on holding elections in phases. However, in such a phased approach, around seven regions and states, including Tanintharyi Region, would not be included. This, however, was not officially stated during the discussions but rather mentioned in lobby conversations.
As for the election commission, it is uncertain whether they will proceed with a PR (Proportional Representation) system, an FBDP (First-Past-the-Post) system, or a mixed system combining both. One possibility being speculated is that the national assembly might use PR while the people’s assembly adopts FBDP. However, this is still unconfirmed.
Another proposal from our side was an emergency law to address potential threats of violence before and during the elections. This law would ensure that elections cannot be disrupted or sabotaged. There is broad agreement on this point, with support from all sides. Additionally, given the likelihood of violence or smear campaigns targeting the election, they also plan to work on passing an emergency directive in a timely manner.
Question: What election preparations and activities are the Mon Unity Party currently undertaking?
Answer: The Mon Unity Party operates under similar regulations as the Mon National Party. Currently, it is working to establish offices in five townships in Kayin State: Hpa-an, Kawkareik, Kyainseikgyi, and Hlaingbwe. The party has also submitted the list of its 15 Central Executive Committee members to the Union Election Commission (UEC).
As for the Central Committee members and party representatives, their information still needs to be submitted to the state-level UEC, and preparations for this are ongoing.
However, there are challenges. For instance, communication has been disrupted with some party members in the Kyainseikgyi area due to a lack of phone and internet access. Additionally, in Kawkareik, difficulties persist in collecting household census data and voter registration. These obstacles and other significant challenges have made it difficult to effectively prepare for the election.
Question: How will the Mon Unity Party proceed amid the current politically restricted environment and the escalation of armed conflicts?
Answer: Although we are striving to amend the 2008 Constitution, its fundamental issues remain unresolved. The constitution does not adequately address the formal establishment of Mon political parties. Furthermore, the 2008 Constitution lacks stability and consistency. For example, the military regime, which is supposed to have only two extensions of a six-month emergency period, has exceeded this limit without any checks. This demonstrates that the constitution is not firmly upheld, allowing actions to be taken arbitrarily.
This undermines democratic principles and raises doubts about the possibility of resolving armed conflicts. We need to work collaboratively under a legal framework to address these issues in this situation.
Another concern is that if Mon parties cease to exist, other parties will inevitably fill the void. This risks Mon people aligning with other groups. For instance, in areas like Hpa-an, many Mon individuals have already aligned with Karen parties. Therefore, the Mon Unity Party will continue to take a stand to ensure the survival of Mon political representation and identity.
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