Rakhine Political Parties Amid Myanmar’s Political Crisis

English | Myanmar

Introduction

(a) Main Topic

Challenges faced by Rakhine political parties in the aftermath of the coup

(b) Geographical Area

All 17 townships in Rakhine State

(c) Time Period

From February 2021 to December 2025

Since the Myanmar military’s illegal coup on February 1, 2021, the State Administration Council (SAC) has frequently asserted that it will hold new elections and transfer state power to the winning political party. However, there is profound scepticism regarding the junta’s political guarantees. The refusal to allow the winning party of the 2020 general election to form a government, coupled with the violent crackdown on post-coup protesters, has significantly bolstered the momentum of the armed resistance movement.

Meanwhile, in Arakan (Rakhine State), where a temporary ceasefire was initially reached with the Arakan Army (AA) following the coup, the public has increasingly shifted its allegiance away from traditional political parties and electoral processes to the leadership of the United League of Arakan (ULA), the AA’s political wing. Since November 2023, the resurgence of intense conflict and urban warfare to control townships between the junta and the AA has further constricted the "political space" available to political parties.

Under rising domestic and international pressure, the military junta (SAC) and its Union Election Commission have sought a strategic exit through military, political, and diplomatic manoeuvres. This included attempting to hold a 2025–2026 general election within their controlled territories by the systematic suppression of opposition. Among the Rakhine-based political parties, some opted to contest the polls, while others were banned, dissolved, or rejected under various pretexts.

This study offers a primary analysis of the state of Rakhine political parties amid Myanmar’s five-year political crisis. Our findings are based on regional media reports, official statements from political parties, statements from the SAC and its election commission, and independent research conducted by the Center for Arakan Studies.

Brief Descriptions

October 2022

UEC Summons and Warns Arakan National Party (ANP) Over statement Condemning regime atrocities

In September 2022, the Arakan National Party (ANP) issued a statement strongly condemning the military junta’s aerial bombardments, which resulted in civilian casualties and the widespread destruction of civilian homes and property. In response to this statement, the junta-controlled Union Election Commission (UEC) summoned party officials and warned the party not to release "one-sided" statements in the future.

April 2023

All Arakan Students’ and Youths’ Congress (AASYC) Launches Campaign Against Junta’s Sham Election

The All Arakan Students’ and Youths’ Congress (AASYC) spearheaded a campaign calling for a decisive rejection of the military junta’s "sham election" as a necessary step toward liberation from military rule. The campaign urged the public to boycott the polls and refrain from participating in any part of the electoral process.

Dissolution of Ethnic Minority Parties Due to Restrictive Election Laws

The Arakan League for Democracy (ALD), the Daingnet National Development Party, and the Kaman National Development Party were officially dissolved as political parties after failing to reregister under the military junta’s restrictive new Political Parties Registration Law. Officials from the Daingnet and Kaman National Development Parties stated in regional media outlets that even during their period of active operations, they never enjoyed the full political rights afforded to larger parties. They noted that their role was largely limited to merely presenting the grievances of their respective ethnic groups, rather than exercising genuine political influence.

July 2023

UEC warns Arakan State Political Parties not to engage with Armed Groups

On July 11, 2023, the junta’s Union Election Commission (UEC) convened a meeting in Sittwe with five political parties officially permitted to register in Arakan: the Arakan Front Party (AFP), the Arakan National Unity Party, the Mro National Party, the Khami National Party, and the Mro National Development Party. During the meeting, the UEC issued a severe warning, mandating that these parties strictly adhere to the commission’s laws ... Read More

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