Ethnic parties protest changing poll system
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The Nationality Brotherhood Federation announced on June 20 that it will protest against the adoption of a proportional representation system in parliament in several states. "We are planning to protest in Mon, Kachin, Chin, Kayin and Shan states," said K
The federation is a coalition of ethnic political parties, including the Shan National Democratic Party, Chin National Party, Arakan National Party, Mon Democracy Party, Dawei National Party, and Asho Chin National Party.
On June 13, the upper House approved a proposal to introduce a system of proportional representation for electing representatives to Parliament with 117 votes, despite strong objections from opposition parties and even military representatives.
Many political observers see proportional representation as a way to bolster support for the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party ahead of the next year’s elections and to weaken support for opposition parties.
The federation said it opposes the move because ethnic national parties risk being eclipsed in Parliament under a proportional system.
