Youth leaders from five ethnic parties met in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, to discuss how the ethnic parties will be in government winning the 2020 general elections.

Before the meeting, Naw Khont, the head of youth wing of Kachin State People's Party (KSPP), told NMG they are "working together to show ethnic political parties are essential."

"No political party can form a government without joining with ethnic parties. And that's our message. A prominent party will receive 50 percent, but only after aligning with ethnic parties."

Naw Khon said his party and four others planned to discuss "drawing up an election-winning strategy" for becoming an "essential force” through cooperation with larger parties.

KSPP leaders met with leaders of Mon Unity Party (MUP), Kayah State Democratic Party (KSDP), Chin National League for Democracy (CNLD), and Karen National Democratic Party (KNDP) in their office on July 29 and July 30.

It's crucial to "exchange ideas and opinions about how ethnic parties can win the 2020 election." said Khu Joseph, a KSDP youth representative. "If our coalition parties work together," he said they will succeed when polls open on November 8. "We expect to build a federal union, which all the ethnic states want."

Establishing a successful coalition is the key to creating a democratic federal union, the party's leaders said. Yet there was also concern over the difficulties faced in launching election campaigns amid government restrictions on public gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.