Yangon — Ninety-one political parties and candidates contested the Nov. 8 general election with the National League for Democracy (NLD) sweeping most of the seats at the national level.
Some of the defeated candidates talked to The Irrawaddy’s Lei Lei about their plans.
U Ko Ko Gyi, Lower House candidate in Yangon’s South Okkalapa Township, chairman of the People’s Party
I have engaged crazily in politics for over 32 years and the election is a milestone we pass by every five years. We will continue to uphold our stances and beliefs and keep an eye on the new government and Parliament, provide suggestions and point out shortcomings. Though we are not elected to the Parliament, we will play a supporting role from outside.
And the People’s Party is ready to cooperate in anything beneficial to the country. We will continuously prepare for the 2025 election.
Dr. Nyo Nyo Thin, independent Upper House candidate for Tanintharyi Region
I ask people to stay politically alert. They shouldn’t think their duty is over after voting and they should monitor how the government is spending public funds and whether the lawmakers they have elected are working in the Parliament.
I don’t need to be elected to Parliament to engage in politics. I am not a politician who focuses only on winning elections. I will look further at the electoral landscape and do my share to restore unity and conciliation in our shattered country.
Daw Thet Thet Khine, Lower House candidate in Yangon’s Mayangone Township, chair of the People’s Pioneer Party
I am grateful to the people who voted amid COVID-19. As our party is just one-year-old, we have to continue building. In principle, political parties work for national development and we have to stand for election to implement national development. Only after we are elected, will we be able to work towards that end in the Parliament. I will focus on that.
Daw Ei Thinzar Maung, Lower House candidate in Yangon’s Pabedan Township, Democratic Party for a New Society
Whatever the results of this election turn out to be, they will not hinder my aspirations. Though I am not elected, there are many things that I need to do outside Parliament. There is a need for coordination inside and outside Parliament. Though I am not elected, many of our allies won seats.
I hope civil war and human rights violations in Rakhine State are raised in the Parliament because those are the issues I want to voice loudly. Regarding the people in Pabedan [the majority of whom are Muslims], I believe [the NLD] should enact an anti-discriminatory law and scrap the 1982 Citizenship Law.
U Moe Yan Naing, independent candidate for the Sagaing Region parliament in Khin-U Township
It appears that people are less politically mature. So we need to educate the people about political principles.
During my campaign, I told villagers that they can seek my help with legal issues even if I do not win. I will do that. And I am also teaching children for free in my free time.
I want the winners to work for the development of our township without bias. I haven’t yet considered running in the next election.
Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko
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