USDP to contest all Arakan State constituencies in 2020 election

By Min Tun 12 Aug 2020

Min Tun | DMG
12 August, Sittwe 

Candidates from the main opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) are slated to contest every constituency in conflict-plagued Arakan State for the 2020 general election, according to the candidate lineup unveiled by the USDP on August 12. 

The party said its candidates would contest all 17 Lower House seats and 12 Upper House seats representing Arakan State in the Union Parliament. 

USDP candidates will also vie for all 34 elected seats in the Arakan State legislature, and a candidate will reportedly run for Arakan State’s Chin ethnic affairs minister post under the party banner. 

“We secured three seats in the Arakan State parliament and one seat in the Upper House in the previous general election,” said Dr. San Shwe, chairperson of the Arakan State USDP. “We hope to win more seats in the upcoming general election.” 

The Arakan National Party (ANP), a major USDP rival in the region, will also compete for all 17 Lower House constituencies and 12 Upper House constituencies in Arakan State, as well as all 34 elected seats in the state legislature, the party said in an August 2 statement. 

The ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) will contend for seats in seven of Arakan State’s Upper House constituencies. For the Lower House, NLD candidates will compete for 15 of 17 constituencies in Arakan State. The party’s candidates will also contest 29 constituencies in the Arakan State parliament, the NLD said on July 23. 

The 2020 general election will be held on November 8, the Union Election Commission announced on July 1.