however, recognition for a constituency in the upcoming 2015 elections is yet to be granted for the ministers of Mon ethnic affairs.
The Mon Population Data [Collecting] Project’s committee was founded by respective Mon civil organizations in 2014, and the committee gathered data of more than 60,000 Mon residents in Tenasserim Division. However, the Ministry of Immigration and Population did not recognize the data. Hence, no electorate for ethnic Mons was permitted.
“We have planned to contest for Minister of Ethnic Affairs in Tenasserim Division because there are more than 60,000 [Mon people]. But, now we are not happy as it is announced that no constituency for Mon ethnics [in Tenasserim division] has been given,” said Nai San Tin, joint-secretary (1) of All Mon Regions Democracy Party (AMDP).
During the 2010 elections, according to data on the Mon population stated by the Ministry of Immigration and Population, Tenasserim Division only held slightly more than 40,000 Mon people, while the number of Mon people in Rangoon and Pegu divisions were not even close to 60,000. Thus, in those divisions, no constituency was given to Mon ministers to be appointed to Mon ethnic affairs.
“For [Mon] ethnic affairs, the first 3 places, namely Karen State and Tenasserim and Rangoon divisions, were chosen. But, on the list of electoral constituencies, Rangoon and Tenasserim divisions were not included,” said Nai Layih Tamarh, General Secretary of Mon National Party (MNP).
According to the records from the Ministry of Immigration and Population, because there were more than 60,000 Mon citizens in Karen State, a constituency for a minister of Mon ethnic affairs was given and one minister was elected during the 2010 elections.
The data on Mon populations was conducted in Tenasserism, Rangoon and Pegu divisions last year, in order to appoint Mon ministers for Mon ethnic affairs.
