Shanni ethnic parties, planning to campaign in constituencies across Kachin State and northern Sagaing Region for the upcoming elections, have expressed concerns over security during their campaigns.

The coup junta has offered to provide security assistance to parties for the upcoming elections, which it will organize and oversee. However, Shanni parties suggested that when campaigning begins on the ground, they are likely to face security challenges.

“The junta has assured it can provide security if necessary, but how reliable is that? Candidates campaigning on the ground will still face significant risks. That’s why we’re considering keeping our campaign activities very modest, low-key, and discreet,” said the secretary of the Tai-Leng Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), also known as Red Tiger Party.

The junta has already enacted laws that impose a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for disrupting election campaigns.

On August 21, the junta-controlled Union Election Commission (UEC) announced that parties registered to contest in the junta-organized elections and granted permission can now begin campaigning in their target constituencies.

Candidate lists for each party must be submitted by September 8, while the TNDP and Shanni Solidarity Party (SSP) continue to finalize their campaign plans.

“Right now, the party elders haven’t given any specific instructions. I expect some changes after the party conference on August 25,” said the chair of the SSP.

The junta has announced that the election will be held in phases, with Homalin Township in Sagaing Region and Monghnyin Township in Kachin State, which have the largest Shanni ethnic populations, scheduled to vote on December 28.