The Mon Development Party (MDP), which competed on behalf of the Mon Unity Party (MUP) in Karen State, did not win any seats in any of the three parts of the recently concluded Military Commission election, according to official results published by the State Election Commission.
The Mon Development Party contested with a total of six candidates: three in Part 1 in Bawngan Township, one in Part 2 in Hlaingbwe Township, and two in Part 3 in Kawkareik and Kya-in Seikkyi Townships. However, none of its candidates won in any constituency.
According to the election results, the majority of parliamentary seats in Karen State were won by the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which is closely aligned with the military, as stated in an official announcement by the State Election Commission.
A representative of the Mon Development Party said, “Our party competed in three locations. Even though all three parts of the election are over, we didn’t win anywhere. Unlike the 2020 election, security concerns this time made it difficult for people to travel, and many citizens were uninterested in the election.”
In the 2020 election, out of nearly 150,000 Mon ethnic voters in Karen State who were eligible to vote, around 70,000 people cast their ballots. However, in the 2025 election, due to security concerns and a lack of public interest in the election, the total number of voters—including those using voting machines and advance ballots—was only around 16,000.
A local Mon resident said that many people chose not to vote because they believed the Military Commission’s election could not reflect the will of the people. “Even if we went to vote, it wouldn’t change anything,” the resident explained.
Despite not winning any seats due to political challenges and party difficulties, the Mon Development Party said it will continue its efforts to gain the trust of Mon communities in Karen State and ensure the party’s survival.
“We will focus on the main townships where the majority of Mon people live. We need to remain active in the political process there, even though there are many challenges. People must be engaged, and we also need to raise funds to support the party’s work. There is much to do to keep the party strong and credible,” the MDP representative said.
According to a statement released by the Kayin State Election Commission after the third phase of the elections, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won a total of 24 seats, including six Pyithu Hluttaw representatives, seven Amyotha Hluttaw representatives, nine State Hluttaw representatives, one Bamar Ethnic Affairs representative, and one Mon Ethnic Affairs representative.
In addition, the Karen National Democratic Party won seven seats, the Pa-O National Unity Party secured three seats, and the Phalon–Sawaw Democratic Party won two seats, according to reports.
In Mon State, the Mon Unity Party (MUP), which contested the elections, won a total of 17 seats, including five seats in the Amyotha Hluttaw, five seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw, and seven seats in the State Hluttaw.
