New Parties and the Third Force
The "Third Force" in Burma is a loose definition of groups who claim to be neither pro-junta or pro-opposition. They seek a more pragmatic approach to the democratic process and believe that though the elections and 2008 constitution lack basic democratic foundations, it is still better than nothing. Third Force groups are participating in the elections and many have encouraged other democratic groups, including the National League for Democracy, to endorse the constitution to avoid being left out of the process.
Although third-force groups have claimed to occupy the middle ground between the Military Government and Democratic Opposition, many have had to forge relationships with the military to gain economic support and freedoms to carry out their campaigns inside the country. The people who make up the third force include Veteran Politicians, Former Student Activists, former communists, NLD defectors and moderates in the democratic opposition.
Campaign updates
Latest News:
Although third-force groups have claimed to occupy the middle ground between the Military Government and Democratic Opposition, many have had to forge relationships with the military to gain economic support and freedoms to carry out their campaigns inside the country. The people who make up the third force include Veteran Politicians, Former Student Activists, former communists, NLD defectors and moderates in the democratic opposition.
Campaign updates
| Democratic Party |
National Political League |
Union Democratic Alliance | United Parties League |
| Dec 2009 - Started Door to Door campaigns in 8 townships in Rangoon Division (Twante, Thone Gwa, Seikgyi Khanaungto, Kyimyindine, South Dagon, North Dagon, South Okkalapa, Yankin townships). | 19 December 2009- Election talk show in Ahlat Chaung village, across Kyimyindine Township |
Latest News:
| Date |
Party |
Details |
| 18 Jan 2010 | Democratic Party |
DP leadership is reconsidering whether to contest in the planned election due to the delayed release of the election law and limited time for party formation as well as campaigning. |
| 16 Jan 2010 | Burma Affairs Forum | An informal political meeting was held to discuss the pros and cons and the issues surrounding the proposed election. It was attended by veteran Burmese politicians, former political prisoners and student activists who express support for this year's election |
| 30 Dec 2009 | Burma Affairs Forum | Press Conference |
| December 2009 | Democratic Party | Started Door to Door campaigns in 8 townships in Rangoon Division (Twante, Thone Gwa, Seikgyi Khanaungto, Kyimyindine, South Dagon, North Dagon, South Okkalapa, Yankin townships). |
| 13 November 2009 | Democratic Party | Thu Wei sent a letter to junta supremo Snr Gen. Than Shwe, asking for prompt promulgation of the election law |
| 27 October 2009 | Democratic Party |
Open letter to the junta’s Information Minister was posted on Thu Wai's internet webpage |
| 14 October 2009 | Democratic Party |
Chairman Thu Wei and Ahmyotharyar Win Naing organized a lecture meeting on in Bahan Township, Rangoon Division called ‘Review Discussion on Burmese Politics in 2010’, which was attended by over 30 journalists from the foreign and domestic media. |
| 14 Sept 2009 |
The ‘Analysis Lecture on State of the Union 2010’ led by two Veteran Politicians Win Naing and Thu Wai who presented different views about the 2010 elections. The event was held in Dolphin restaurant in Bahan Township, Rangoon Division and was attended by about 30 domestic and foreign reporters, as well as officers from the Police Special Branch. Win Naing said that the 2010 elections offer few prospects for the pro-democracy forces in Burma, since the pro-democracy groups are divided on whether to run in the elections or not; therefore a powersharing agreement should be formed, where the military will be granted 60% in the first post-election government which will be gradually reduced in consequent terms. While Thu Wai argued it was important to first achieve power through the ballot box to fill the remaining 75 percent of parliamentary seats |
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| 14 Sept 2009 |
Democratic Party |
Veteran politicians and daughters of former cabinet members announced at a press conference in Rangoon that they would form a party named the Democratic Party |
| 2 Aug 2009 |
National Political Party | The National Political Party (Union of Myanmar), formed to contest the 2010 general elections, has split with Myo Thant, in-charge of the organising committee of Pakokku Township branch and several other members quitting because of financial mismanagement. |
| 15 May 2009 | New 88 Generation Student and Youth Organization (Union of Myanmar) | Aye Lwin, leader of the New 88 Generation Student and Youth Organization (Union of Myanmar), criticized the United States and its citizens for adding fuel to the already complex political imbroglio of Burma and condemned detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi for accepting an alien into her house. |
| 5-26 Apr 2009 | Union Democratic Alliance | The veteran politician U Shwe Ohn from Shan State went on a 21-day tour in Shan State and met regional political parties, ethnic leaders and discussed with them the question of contesting the 2010 general election. |
| 15 Mar 2009 | National Political Forces | Ohn Lwin organized a meeting for national affairs in Rangoon. Out of 18 invited organizations and individuals, 88 Generation Students and Youths (Union of Myanmar) and 'new generation study group for modern science and political economy' didn't attend the meeting. The latter only sent its felicitation message. An Alliance was formed called the Union of Myanmar National Political Forces |
| 15 Mar 2009 | Union of Burma National Political Force | A Rangoon-based political group comprised of those who support the Burmese junta's seven-step roadmap will hold a meeting on the 15th of this month to form a 'Joint Action Committee' with an eye to the 2010 general election. The Union of Burma National Political Force, comprising 11 political organizations, is organizing the meeting in connection with contesting the 2010 election as an alliance, as opposed to independent candidates with separate political parties. |
| 26 Jan 2009 | Union Democratic Alliance | A veteran ethnic Shan politician, Shwe Ohn said he and his friends have formed a group that will be transformed into a political party called the Union Democratic Alliance to contest the ensuing 2010 general elections. |
| 26 Jan 2009 | Union Democratic Alliance | Union Democratic Alliance Organisation was formed with an 8-member organizing committee |
| 12 Jan 2009 |
A meeting held at the residence of Nay Myo Wai, who has been writing critical articles against Burma's mainstream opposition on internet web pages, in Padauk Street of Bogale town in Irrawaddy division, lasted about three hours. It was a gathering of a few politicians, who are believed to endorse the ruling junta's roadmap to democracy. | |