အေသးစိတ္
- ႐ံုးခ်ဳပ္
- Sittwe, Arakan State
- Contested Seats
- 12 Upper, 17 Lower, 34 Regional
The Arakan National Party (ANP) was formed out of the merger of the Rakhine National Development Part and the Arakan League for Democracy. One of Burma’s strongest ethnic political parties, the ANP is expected to be a legitimate contender for votes in Arakan State, adding an interesting variable to what would otherwise likely be a two-horse race between the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and the National League for Democracy (NLD).
The party has been described as “hardline” for its strong advocacy of ethnic Arakanese Buddhists in a region of mixed ethnic composition that includes stateless Rohingya Muslims. Relations between the two communities have remained volatile more than three years after interreligious violence tore through Arakan State in 2012.
“We don’t accept the term ‘stateless’ being used by the international community,” a party leader told Reuters in reference to the Rohingya. “They came from Bangladesh, they have the same religion, race, perceptions and traditions as people in Bangladesh.”
In a state media broadcast in September, ANP chairman Aye Maung struck a seemingly more conciliatory tone, saying the party supported “equality and self-determination for ethnic minority groups … democracy, human rights, [and] the rights of minorities.”
* States and divisions in red indicate that the party is fielding candidates at the Union or regional level in that jurisdiction.
အလံ
Major Players
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Aye Maung
The ANP chairman was instrumental in orchestrating the merger of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party and Arakan League for Democracy in 2014.
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Aye Thar Aung
The party patron is running for an Upper House seat in Arakan-6, encompassing Myebon and Minbya townships.
DECISION 2015
Tallying the Triumph: NLD’s Appeal Knows Almost No Bounds
The National League for Democracy wins 886 out of 1,150 contested seats in Burma’s election, including a commanding 59.3 percent of all Union Parliament seats.
PARLIAMENT
Parliament Resumes in Naypyidaw with Dozens of Bills Outstanding
Outgoing lawmakers returned to Naypyidaw to consider dozens of outstanding bills in the last remaining session of the year.
Political parties including Burma’s main opposition enlist young guns to carry their banners in the election, hoping new blood will help propel them to victory.
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EDITORIAL
Toward Fostering Dialogue in a Crucial Election Year
On election day, we hope “Burma Votes” in droves, because thousands have died for this cause, democracy.
INTERVIEW
Arakan National Party Patron: ‘National Reconciliation is a Must’
The Irrawaddy speaks with the Arakan National Party’s Aye Thar Aung on the party’s political objectives and the prospects for collaboration with the NLD.
I’m skeptical about their ability to handle this perennial issue without the active participation of ethnic parties.
- Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan National Party, on prospects for an NLD government that satisfies ethnic minorities' political aspirations
DECISION 2015
Tallying the Triumph: NLD’s Appeal Knows Almost No Bounds
The National League for Democracy wins 886 out of 1,150 contested seats in Burma’s election, including a commanding 59.3 percent of all Union Parliament seats.
PARLIAMENT
Parliament Resumes in Naypyidaw with Dozens of Bills Outstanding
Outgoing lawmakers returned to Naypyidaw to consider dozens of outstanding bills in the last remaining session of the year.
VOTING
The Results Are (Almost) In: Crunching the Regional Seat Numbers
The NLD has majorities in all but four of Burma’s legislatures. Those parliaments it doesn’t hold may dictate the party’s attitude to federal reform.
VOTING
Parties Dispute Huge USDP Advance Vote in Arakan Garrison Seat
Losing candidates have refused to sign off on two contests in Ann, one involving the former chief minister, after advance votes put the USDP ahead of its rivals.
ETHNIC ISSUES
Ethnic Parties Left Hanging on the Telephone for NLD Coalition Offer
The two strongest performing ethnic parties in Sunday’s poll have expressed a desire say that any coalition arrangement is unlikely after the NLD’s emphatic victory.
PARTY POLITICS
NLD a Better Choice than Ruling Party, Say Ethnic Politicians
Despite doubts over the party’s commitment to minority issues, several prominent ethnic politicians say they are more likely to support the NLD after the election.
ELECTION 2015
For Burma’s Muslims, Little to Cheer About Historic Election
As Burma heads to the polls on Nov. 8, the plight of its Muslim minority remains a blot on the country’s election.
ETHNIC ISSUES
NLD Takes on Nationalists in Southern Arakan
The Arakan National Party expects a wave of nationalism to bring sweeping victory in Arakan State, while the NLD eyes southern constituencies.
ETHNIC ISSUES
Maungdaw Protesters Call for Disqualification of Muslim Candidate
Around 300 people attended a Monday protest in Maungdaw to protest against the election commission’s inclusion of a Muslim candidate in the Nov. 8 poll.
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
In Epicenter of Ethno-Religious Divide, Suu Kyi Sticks to Mantra of Change
The opposition leader appeals to voters of troubled Arakan State in a speech promising jobs and more accountable government if her party sweeps the election.
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Suu Kyi Campaigns in Arakan, but to Avoid Trouble Spots
Burma’s opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrives in Arakan State for three days of campaigning, but will skip the state’s most restive areas.
VOTER VOICE
Election Debate Heats Up Online and at the Dinner Table
Impassioned debate over the country’s political future is seeing lively disagreements between family members backing rival parties.
PARTY POLITICS
China Courts Arakan National Party Ahead of Vote
Beijing’s courting of the Arakan National Party underscores how China is taking steps to protect its most strategic investments in Burma ahead of the election.
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
NLD No Match for Formidable Opponents in Arakan State
The Arakan National Party (ANP) is tipped to win a majority of state and Union constituencies in Arakan State,
ETHNIC ISSUES
No Election Watershed for Ethnic Minorities: Report
Research finds that for ethnic minorities, Burma’s much-anticipated election will do little to remedy decades-extant political, economic and social grievances, regardless of its outcome.
ETHNIC ISSUES
Rising Arakanese Party Could Further Marginalize Rohingya
Burma’s elections are likely to worsen the plight of Rohingya Muslims, with a new, hardline Buddhist party on the brink of becoming a formidable force.
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Arakan State Becomes ‘Promise Land’ as Candidates Vie for Votes
The impoverished coastal state sees a rising number of reports that candidates are making the rounds to dish out donations as election day nears.
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Suu Kyi Offers Olive Branch to Ethnic Minorities in Karenni State
UPDATED: Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi promises to protect minority rights if the NLD wins government after the Nov. 8 elections.
ETHNIC ISSUES
Arakanese Buddhists Join Ranks of State’s Politically Marginalized
As media coverage focuses on Arakan State’s disenfranchised Rohingya Muslims, an Arakanese Buddhist group also looks likely to miss out on the Nov. 8 vote.
PARLIAMENT
Buddhist Nationalists Secure Win as Religion Bills Become Law
Buddhist nationalists secure a formal legislative victory with official passage of laws restricting religious conversion and banning polygamy after accepting feedback from President Thein Sein.
MILITARY
Parties Banned From Criticizing Army in State Media
Burma bans political parties from criticizing the army or the military-dominated Constitution in state media during campaigning for elections due Nov. 8.
ELECTION 2015
As Election Nears, Survey Offers Insight Into Voters’ Views
Taiwan-based Asian Barometer Survey polled 1,620 respondents across all 14 of Burma’s states and divisions, asking more than 200 questions on a wide range of subjects.
PARLIAMENT
Fractious Parliament Defers Recall Bill Until After Election
Burma’s Union Parliament votes to delay discussion of a hotly contested impeachment bill that could have been used to unseat besieged Speaker Shwe Mann.
ELECTION 2015
Nearly 6,200 Parliament Hopefuls File to Contest Election
A whopping 6,189 candidates apply to contest the nearly 1,200 seats up for grabs between the Union Parliament and regional legislatures in Burma’s general election.
ETHNIC ISSUES
Arakan National Party Eyes 63 Seats in General Election
The Arakan National Party plans to contest 63 constituencies in Burma’s historic Nov. 8 general election, party patron Aye Thar Aung tells The Irrawaddy.
Party Politics
Political Parties Sign Election Code of Conduct
Nearly 70 of Burma’s political parties sign an election Code of Conduct aimed at ensuring ethical electioneering in the lead up to the historic vote.
Party Politics
Avoid Antagonizing, Election Chief Tells Ethnic Alliance
The chairman of Burma’s Union Election Commission warns an alliance of ethnic political parties not to butt heads with the government.
Constitution
Suu Kyi, Ethnic Alliance Agree to Push 3-Point Agenda
An umbrella group of ethnic political parties meets with Aung San Su Kyi and agrees to work with the opposition leader to push a three-item agenda for Burma’s political future.
ETHNIC ISSUES
Arakanese Political Parties Merge to Form ANP
The merger of Burma’s two largest ethnic Arakanese political parties is approved by the Election Commission, which accepted registration of the Arakan National Party on Monday.