The Tai-Leng Nationalities Development Party also known as the Shan-ni Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), has set seven policies for the upcoming election scheduled for November 8.

The TNDP’s seven policies are: the emergence of a federal union, the designation of a Shan-Ni State, achieving the perpetual peace by ending the civil war, the emergence of a flourishing democracy, the equal rights of all ethnics, the emergence of strong Shan-Ni social organizations to serve the interest of the people, and the development of national interest of Shan-ni and indigenous people.  

The TNDP will implement ethnic equality and give priority to ethnic Shan-ni if it wins the victory.

U Sai Kyaw Htwe, a CEC member of the TNDP said: “The first priority is ethnic equality. The second is the official recognition of Shan-ni. We have been engaging in politics as there is no ethnic equality. Shan-ni people have no reason to establish the party if there is ethnic equality.”

A total of 41 candidates from the TNDP will run for the seats in the upcoming election—28 constituencies in Kachin State, nine in Sagaing Region, one for Shan Ethnic Affairs Minister in Kachin State, one for Bamar Ethnic Affairs Minister in Kachin State and one for Shan Ethnic Affairs Minister in Sagaing Region.

The TNDP’s major rivals are: the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) and the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

13.6 % of the total number of candidates are women, 31.58 % youth aged below 35, and 55.26 % those aged over 35.

The age of the youngest candidate is 26 and the age of the oldest candidate, 75.

Shan Ni Nationalities Development Party secured two seats in the 2015 General Elections—one for Sagaing Region Parliament and Shan Ethnic Affairs Minister in Sagaing Region.