Hsu / Myo Gyi (NSS) – Oct 23 

The Chairman of the Union Election Commission Thein Soe announced that political parties failing to meet the required number of party members would be removed from the list of registered political parties.

He addressed it during his meeting with responsible personnel from six political parties in Mandalay Region on 21st October.  

 The State Administration Council newly enacted the Political Parties Registration Act and related bylaws within this year.   

In this new Political Party Registration Law, it stated as follows “If the party will carry out organizational activities across the entire Union, the personal undertaking that at least 100,000 party members will be mobilized within 90 days after granting of registration as a political party.” 

Moreover, it stated, “If the party will carry out organizational activities across the entire Union, the personal undertaking that the party offices will be opened in at least half of the townships across the entire Union within 180 days after granting of registration as a political party”.  

The UEC Chairman has declared that political parties not meeting the mandated membership and office requirements will lose their legal status as political entities.

The commission also emphasized that political parties will play a pivotal role in implementing the country's legislative and executive pillars following the election. Therefore, it is imperative for the parties to be robust and dependable. Hence, the commission is to undertake scrutiny procedures.

At present, necessary arrangements are being conducted to hold a free and fair multiparty General Election. 

Previously, there were nearly 90 political parties. However, with the enactment of the new Political Parties Registration Law by the State Administration Party, a total of 40 political parties, including the NLD, failed to submit their party registrations, resulting in their dissolution and the automatic nullification of their status as political parties.    

Currently, 64 political parties have applied for establishment with the UEC, and among them, 37 have been granted registration.