Three candidates will compete for Chin State’s vacant constituency

Chin State has one vacant constituency for the upcoming by-election, scheduled for April 1, in Thanlantlang Township. The party candidates who will contest for the vacant constituency are Daw Za Tlem of CNDP, U Bawi Khing of National League for Democracy (NLD) and U Zo Peng of Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

The three candidates will be contesting to fill the vacant seat of 2nd Vice President Henry Van Thio, who previously served as an Amyotha Hluttaw representative after winning the No.3 Constituency of Chin State in the 2015 Election.

Daw Za Tlem is a former Pyithu Hluttaw representative [won in 2010 Election] for the Thantlang Township. However, she lost in the 2015 Election, but now she is again going to take part in the by-election.

U Zo Peng, the USDP’s candidate, also did not win the 2015 Election, while U Bawi Khing, a new candidate for the NLD, is going to compete for the first time in the upcoming by-election.

In 2015 Elections, all Chin political parties completed for respective constituencies but were defeated for all constituencies. However, the by-election would be a door for the Chin parties to be able to cooperate in the federal and national matters, according to CNDP’s Secretary Salai Ceu O Bik Thawng.

“Among ethnic political parties, only Chin and Kayah [parties] do not have ethnic representatives in the Hluttaw (parliament). As a result, we are not permitted to attend the Union Peace Conference. By winning this by-election, a door will be opened for us to participate in the discussions for federal and national affairs as taking part in the Union Peace Conference. So, this is very important for us,” said CNDP’s Secretary Salai Ceu O Bik Thawng.

Of all Chin political parties, the CNDP, formerly known as Chin National Party (CNP), is the only Chin party that will compete in the forthcoming by-election.

Translated by Aong Jaeneh