After changing their name to comply with the demands of the Union Election Commission (UEC), the Women’s Party (Mon) on 16 June submitted their application to stand in the 2015 election. The party are looking to compete in three administrative regions, pending UEC approval.

The Women’s Party (Mon) first issued their submission to the UEC requesting party formation in October 2014 under the name Women’s Party, but were told that the title was too broad. After the name change, the party had its formation approved on 28 May and applied to register for the upcoming elections on 16 June.

Mi Than Shin, the leader of the Mon State-based party (also known as Mi Layaing Mon) said the party hopes to run for election in areas with sizable ethnic Mon populations: Mon State, Pegu Division and Tenasserim Division.

“We are looking to field two candidates in Mon populated constituencies in Pegu and around three in Tenasserim,” said Mi Than Shin.

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She added that there are over 60 Central Committee members in Mon, Tennasserim and Pegu, and that the party will liaise with the two major Mon parties – Mon National Party and All-Mon Regions Democracy Party – with regards to the fielding of candidates in Mon State.

“Our policy is to work together with every party that looks to promote women’s rights. We also support the democratic reforms favoured by many other parties,” said Mi Than Shin.

“As we are women’s party, we are open to working with anyone who wants to promote the role of women in politics,” she said, adding that as the first women’s party they are open to alliances with similar groups in other regions, as and when they are formed.