Junta-appointed UEC disqualifies independent candidate for Arakan ethnic affairs minister post in Yangon

By Admin 10 Dec 2025

DMG Newsroom

10 December 2025, Yangon

The junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) has removed U Tin Htoo Aung, who was set to run as an independent candidate for the position of Arakanese Ethnic Affairs Minister in Yangon Region, from its list of approved candidates.

A letter from the UEC states that U Tin Htoo Aung was disqualified for violating Section 10(n) of the Parliamentary Election Law.

Arakanese people in Yangon believe the move may be a political attempt to sideline Ko Tin Htoo Aung, who is widely regarded as the frontrunner among Yangon’s Arakanese community.

“Among the seven candidates for Arakanese Ethnic Affairs Minister in Yangon Region, Ko Tin Htoo Aung is almost certain to win. He has been solving the practical problems of Rakhine people in Yangon Region, so he enjoys the most public support. The USDP also wants to win in Yangon, so it is possible they want to eliminate their main competitor,” said a young Arakanese in Yangon who is monitoring the election.

Section 10(n), under which U Tin Htoo Aung was removed, stipulates that organizations designated as illegal associations under existing laws — and organizations or individuals determined by the state to have committed terrorist acts, to be insurgent armed groups, or to have connections to such groups — are not eligible to stand for election.

DMG contacted U Tin Htoo Aung seeking comment, but he has not yet responded.

U Tin Htoo Aung is the chairman of the Yangon-based Arakan National Network, which advocates for Arakanese labour rights, community rights and children’s rights, and also assists with issues facing Arakanese migrant workers abroad.

A politician in Arakan State believes the military council may have targeted U Tin Htoo Aung due to his capabilities and public support among candidates for Arakanese ethnic affairs.

“Among the candidates in Yangon Region, no one can match Ko Tin Htoo Aung’s ability and public support. Another thing is that he is not someone who will follow the orders of the military regime, but will only serve the people. It seems the regime wants to give this position only to those it can influence. That is why they did this deliberately as the election nears, looking for fault,” the Arakanese politician said.

The candidates for the post are U Nay Min Tun from the junta-proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP); U Tha Sein from the People’s Party led by U Ko Ko Gyi; Daw Aye Mar Lwin, also known as Daw Khin Aye Myint, from the People’s Pioneer Party led by Daw Thet Thet Khaing; U Tin Maung from the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party; Daw Khin Hnin Si Aung from the Peace and Diversity Party; and U Nyi Nyi, who is running as an independent.

The UEC denied the Arakan National Party (ANP) registration on 1 July 2024, citing violations of Section 7 of the Political Parties Registration Act.