Myanmar Development Research (MDR) (Present) Enlightened Myanmar Research (EMR) Wing (3), Room (A-305) Thitsar Garden Housing. 3 Street , 8 Quarter. South Okkalarpa Township. Yangon, Myanmar +951 562439 Acknowledgement of Myanmar Development Research This edition of the “Fact Book of Political Parties in Myanmar (2010-2012)” is the first published collection of facts and information of political parties which legally registered at the Union Election Commission since the pre-election period of Myanmar’s milestone 2010 election and the post-election period of the 2012 by-elections. This publication is also an important milestone for Myanmar Development Research (MDR) as it is the organization’s first project that was conducted directly in response to the needs of civil society and different stakeholders who have been putting efforts in the process of the political transition of Myanmar towards a peaceful and developed democratic society. We would like to thank our supporters who made this project possible and those who worked hard from the beginning to the end of publication and launching ceremony. In particular: (1) Heinrich B�ll Stiftung (Southeast Asia) for their support of the project and for providing funding to publish “Fact Book of Political Parties in Myanmar (2010-2012)”. (2) Party leaders, the elected MPs, record keepers of the 56 parties in this book who lent their valuable time to contribute to the project, given the limited time frame and other challenges such as technical and communication problems. (3) The Chairperson of the Union Election Commission and all the members of the Commission for their advice and contributions. (4) The Capacity Building Initiative and the Local Resource Centre (LRC) that helped publicize the fact book data collection process at their bi monthly Myanmar NGO meetings. Moreover, the representatives from 25 local and international NGOs who provided their ideas and advice on the process of the data collection especially on the types of data they would like to include. (5) Researchers U Thiha Soe, Daw Morine, Daw Aye Lae Htun, U Nyein Chan Oo, Daw Nandar Han, Daw Su Mon Thant and Daw Myat The Thitsar for their efforts, including Daw Thandar Tun Aung who helped design and edit the book. DISCLAIMER 1. All the facts about the parties included in this Fact Book are based on information provided by the parties. The statements in the historical backgrounds are in the narrative and rhetoric of the parties. The views and opinions expressed in the descriptions are not those of MDR’s. 2. The information in the Fact Book does not cover any other than that of the 56 political parties that were registered at the Union Election Commission since the pre-election period of Myanmar’s milestone 2010 election until the post- election period of 2012 by-election. 3. The data in this book has been collected from the 56 parties from July to September 2013. Information received or information changed beyond this data collection period is not included in the book. Myanmar Development Research Content Page Number 1. Acknowledgement of Myanmar Development Research i 2. Disclaimer ii 3. Introduction vi 4. The Methodology and Process vii 5. Difficulties and Challenges viii 6. The Structure of the Fact Book ix 7. Facts on Political Parties Chapter (1) Parties which have won seats after the 2010 and 2012 elections 1. The 88 Generation Student Youths (Union of Myanmar) 3 2. Kayan National Party 5 3. Kayin Peoples Party (KPP) 7 4. Kayin State Democracy and Development Party (KSDDP) 11 5. Chin National Party 13 6. Chin Progressive Party 19 7. Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State (UDPKS) 23 8. Ta-arng (Palaung) National Party 27 9. National Unity Party 31 10. Ethnic National Development Party (ENDP) 43 11. Democratic Party (Myanmar) 45 12. Danu National Democracy Party 49 13. Pa-O National Organization (PNO) 53 14. Phalon - Sawaw Democratic Party 57 15. All Mon Regions Democracy Party 61 16. Union Solidarity and Development Party 67 17. Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP) 95 18. Shan Nationalities Democratic Party 103 iii Fact Book of Political Parties in Myanmar (2010-2012) 19. Lahu National Development Party 115 20. Wa Democratic Party 117 21. Inn National Development Party 121 22. New National Democracy Party (NNDP) 125 23. National Democratic Force (NDF) 129 24. National League for Democracy 133 Chapter (2) Parties which did not win seats but participated in the 2010 and 2012 elections 1. Kaman National Development Party 149 2. Kokang Democracy and Unity Party 151 3. Khami National Development Party 153 4. Modern People's Party 155 5. Party for Unity and Peace 157 6. United Democratic Party (UDP) 159 7. Democracy and Peace Party 161 8. Union Democratic Party 163 9. The Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics 165 10. People Democracy Party 167 11. Peace and Diversity Party 169 12. Mro National Party 171 13. Mro (or) Khami National Solidarity Organization Party (M.K.N.S.O) 173 14. Democratic Party for Myanmar New Society 175 15. Myanmar National Congress 177 16. Rakhine State National United Party of Myanmar 179 17. Shan State Kokang Democratic Party 181 18. Wa National Unity Party 183 19. Wunthanu Democratic Party 185 20. National Development and Peace Party (NDPP) 187 21. National Democratic Party for Development (NDPD) 189 22. National Political Alliances League 191 iv Myanmar Development Research Chapter (3) Parties which have not yet competed in the 2010 and 2012 elections 1. Kayin Democratic Party 195 2. Zomi Congress for Democracy 197 3. Tai - leng Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) 199 4. Democracy and Human Rights Party 201 5. Mon Democracy Party 203 6. Myanmar Farmers Development Party 205 7. Arakan League for Democracy 207 8. Shan Nationalities League for Democracy 209 9. Asho Chin National Party 211 10. National Unity Congress Party 213 Appendix (a) Tables for party representatives in Amyotha Hluttaw, Pyithu Hluttaw, States and Regional Hluttaw (2010+2012) Appendix (b) List of parliament representatives by constituencies in 2012 by-election (Amyotha Hluttaw, Pyithu Hluttaw, States and Regional Hluttaw) Appendix (c) Data collection format v Fact Book of Political Parties in Myanmar (2010-2012) Introduction The 2010 election was significant as it witnessed the revitalization of key political actors and political parties which had disappeared from the political arena for about 50 years. This political transition gives Myanmar civil society organizations an opportunity to better address the needs of the public and promote transparency. Myanmar Development Research has been involved in research topics such as socio-economic affairs, infrastructure development, market potential, policies and structure of organizations and other general research. Since Cyclone Nargis, MDR has conducted research by building strong relationships with communities, social organizations, ministries and government departments, parliamentarians and international organizations. Based on the research experiences of MDR in various sectors, people at all levels and organizations with different background and interests, MDR realizes the necessity of collaborating with individuals and organizations from all sectors in transitioning to a full democracy. At the same time, MDR recognizes the difficulties that different stakeholders have faced in working collaboratively. Limited access to valid information and reliable information sources by different stakeholders can be seen as challenges in indentifying whom they should connect with trust. Therefore, the primary purpose of this factbook is to act as a catalyst for building cooperation among different stakeholders who are striving for a transition which could create a democratic society with equitable chances and enabling environment for all. vi Myanmar Development Research The Methodology and Process Myanmar Development Research has taken the following methodological steps and process in creating the factbook: (1) MDR consulted civil society organization leaders and political party leaders for references and guidance in the initial stages of the book. (2) In the first week of June 2013, MDR met with the Union Election Commission for statistical data and references. The Commission gave valuable insight based on their experiences and commended MDR on their efforts on the project, highlighting the importance of this undertaking. (3) With the help of Capacity Building Initiative from Local Resource Centre MDR was able to publicize the factbook and get feedback on the project from other civil society organizations before starting the data collection. (4) Additionally, MDR sent formal letters to all 56 parties requesting support and advice. (5) MDR conducted a weeklong trial data collection before officially collecting data in the third week of June. (6) Actual data collection began in the last week of June. MDR researchers had scheduled appointments with party spokespersons and leaders for data collection well before actual data collection. Arrangements were also made to meet with executive members of parties to address research questions as they came up. In circumstances where a face to face discussion for data collection was not possible, MDR communicated through mail, phone call,fax or through other available means. (7) MDR researchers maintained a list of collected data and made every attempt possible to contact party representatives to verify facts via phone or mail. These facts were also cross-checked with information from the Election Commission. (8) Researchers maintained contact with parties by regularly communicating through mail and phone calls to ensure data received in time. (9) MDR researchers put their great efforts, worked day and night to make the fact book ready to print in time. (10) As a final step, the “Fact Book of Political Parties in Myanmar (2010-2012)” will be presented to civil society organizations, political parties, and the concerned government departments and the people of Myanmar through a launching ceremony in the last week of March 2014. vii Fact Book of Political Parties in Myanmar (2010-2012) Difficulties and Challenges Myanmar Development Research faced various challenges from the beginning of the data collection for the fact book.