The Myanmar junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) has approved the registration or party establishment applications of 48 political parties thus far. While the most successful parties in the previous elections had been abolished by the UEC, the currently registered parties have engaged in pro-junta activities, from releasing pro-junta joint statements to actively participating in junta- or UEC-organized events.
The key activities were observed as below.
1. Releasing Pro-junta Statements
Since 16 March 2024, four pro-junta statements have been released jointly by registered political parties. The summaries of those statements are as below:
- 16 March 2024: Claiming voter fraud (by NLD-led government), condemning “acts of terrorism” by non-NCA signatories and claiming that such acts undermine "election" plans; Statement signed by 24 political parties
- 28 May 2024: Claiming that economic recession was caused by “terrorist organizations”, condemning sanctions imposed by international organizations and labelling them as “neocolonialism”; Statement signed by 25 political parties
- 05 June 2024: Claiming that the junta's efforts to reopen public schools have been deterred by “acts of terrorism” by the NUG, CRPH, PDF and terrorist armed organizations, and condemning such actions; Statement signed by 20 political parties
- 11 July 2024: Condemning “acts of terrorism” by MNDAA, TNLA and AA in the Northern Shan State and claiming that their actions violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Statement signed by 23 political parties
The following parties have signed at least one of the joint statements released thus far:
- Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)
- Myanmar People’s Democratic Party (MPD)
- National Unity Party
- Arakan Front Party (AFP)
- Tai-leng Nationalities Development Party (TNDP)
- Rakhine State National United Party (RSNUP)
- Lisu National Development Party (LNDP)
- Kha Mee National Development Party
- Karen National Democratic Party
- People's Pioneer Party (PPP)
- National Political Alliances (NPA)
- Public of Labour Party
- Myanmar Farmers' Development Party
- Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (previously known as Shan Nationalities Democratic Party, SNDP)
- Democratic Party
- Mro National Development Party
- New National Democracy Party
- Khumi National Party
- Union Peace & Unity Party
- Modern People Party
- Labour Party
- National Democratic Force Party (NDF)
- The 88 Generation Student Youths (Union of Myanmar) Party
- The Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics Party
- New Democracy Party (Kachin)
- Pa-O National Organization (PNO)
- National Interest Development Party (NIDP)
- Amyotha Nainganye Arrmanthit Party (NENP)
- The Party for People (Ludu Party)
- Mon Development Party
- Akha National Development Party
2. The Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC)’s Political Parties Group
In May 2024, the leaders of the UPDJC’s political parties group were elected from four political parties: Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), People’s Party (PP), Arakan Front Party AFP), and Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP). According to news reports, a total of 16 representatives from 16 political parties (out of 47 registered parties) were also elected as representatives of the group. The group, that excluded the most dominant parties in the previous elections, met with the National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) in June 2024 to discuss “amending the constitution.”
3. Participating in Junta-led Preparations Leading to Sham Election
The representatives from the four parties leading the UPDJC’s political parties group were invited by the Communist Party of China to visit “Yunnan and Qinghai for field studies and talks with Chinese experts on rural development and the Belt & Road Initiative” from 20 to 27 July.
In the past, Chinese officials have met with the Myanmar junta and junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) several times to discuss “election” related topics. The visit was announced shortly after Min Aung Hlaing had declared that the “election” will be held in 2025, highlighting China’s support for Myanmar junta’s sham election.
4. Other Sham Election Related Activities
These include meeting with junta and UEC officials and participating in “election” related events. For example, 43 registered political parties met with the NSPNC back in March to discuss the establishment of the UPDJC’s political parties group and “amendment of the constitution.” In January and February 2024, the representatives from registered parties attended meetings organized by junta-appointed Union Election Commission.