Candidates from all of the major parties running in Arakan State signed what has been termed a "moral code" this week. The candidates signed the code in a ceremony held in Sittwe the Arakan (also Rakhine) state capital on October 1st.
The candidates who signed the code included representatives from the ruling Union Solidarity Party (USDP), the Arakan National Party (ANP), the National League for Democracy (NLD), the National Unity Party (NUP), the Arakan Patriot Party, the Mro Nationality Party, the Mro National Development Party, the Mro National Democracy Party, the Daingnet Ethnics Development Party. Independent candidates U Thar Sein and U Win Maung also signed the code.
The signing ceremony was organized by the Switzerland-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, an organization funded by the Swiss government. The Arakan State Chief Minister U Mya Aung gave delivered the keynote speech. HD's Regional Director for Asia Michael Vatikiotis and the Arakan State Election Commission’s Chairman U Aung Mya also delivered speeches.
“Although the 2010 Election was held successfully, many disputes have taken place. This was due to lack of political experience and maturity. Since the moral codes have been set for political parties and candidates for the 2015 Election, I believe the election will go without a hitch,” predicted the Arakan State Chief Minister U Mya Aung.
In his remarks HD's Vatikiotis thanked the political parties for signing the moral code and noted that the moral code had been signing at the township level in Arakan State. He added that he hopes the political parties and candidates abide by the moral code and that the election process goes peacefully.
“The temporary working committee drafted the moral code for political parties and candidates in October 2014. After negotiations were made in March 2015, the commission reviewed it in April.
All political parties agreed to it on May 15 following negotiations. The political parties in Yangon signed it on June 26,” explained the Arakan Election Commission’s chairman.
HD which also supported similar signing ceremonies in eight townships in Arakan State prior to the state level signing ceremony being held this week.
HD which describes it self as a private organization promoting diplomacy has been supporting efforts at promoting peace in Burma for more than a decade. It has been promoting stability in Arakan State since 2012 by working with Arakan State government officials, political parties and social organizations.
