Esteemed voters,

Greetings in the Akha language, “Nee Sar Ovq Luvq-ur,” wishing you mental peace, physical health, and overall well-being. I am U Tun Aung, Chairman of the Akha National Development Party. We Akha ethnic people, are an ethnic group living primarily in the eastern region of Shan State along the eastern bank of the Thanlwin River. Our Akha community has preserved its unique traditional customs, attire, and cultural heritage up to the present day. In celebration of our ethnic identity, Akha National Day has been observed every 28 December. The Golden Jubilee Akha National Day was celebrated on 28 December 2024.

On that day, Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing sent a congratulatory message to the celebration, recognizing the Akha ethnic people’s contributions to their national identity. To preserve and promote the dignity of the ethnic group, the Akha people continue to hold traditional festivals based on their cultural heritage — such as the Khahtaungpha Festival, Swing Festival, and Red Egg Festival — ensuring these customs are celebrated continuously and carefully maintained.

The party’s slogan encourages everyone to unite their individual abilities to elevate the honour of their ethnic group. In essence, it conveys that every citizen has a responsibility to contribute to the development and progress of their community, region, and the nation as a whole.

The centre of the party flag is red, flanked by yellow, green, white and blue colours, which mean ethnic people residing in Myanmar have an equal term of rights under the Sun.

The party’s emblem is shaped like a “swing”, symbolizing unity and cohesion rooted in traditional customs. It is believed that the development of the nation heavily depends on political parties. Political party organizations are the only entities capable of engaging directly with local communities across different regions, allowing them to understand the actual needs and conditions of the people. Since its founding, the Akha National Development Party has established policies and organizational structures. Some of these policies emphasize that only the Akha people themselves can most effectively understand and address the fundamental needs of the Akha community — such as education, health, social welfare, economic development, and overall progress — and can take responsibility for supporting and implementing these measures extensively.

The party also believes that only the Akha people can lead in preserving and promoting the traditional customs, literature, and cultural arts of the Akha community. Ethnic Affairs: The Republic of the Union of Myanmar is home to a total of 135 ethnic groups. It is believed that only the ethnic communities themselves can better understand and effectively ensure equal opportunities for the smaller ethnic groups within their respective sectors. We believe that lasting success in achieving internal peace, unity among ethnic groups, and comprehensive national development can only be attained when the government, Tatmadaw, and all ethnic communities build mutual trust and understanding. Ethnic people are residing in different areas and names, and only when everyone understands and emphasizes the different political ideologies of each ethnic group will they uplift the dignity of each ethnic group. The Union Affairs: It is necessary to steadfastly uphold Our Three Main National Causes: Non-disintegration of the Union, Non-disintegration of national Solidarity and Perpetuation of Sovereignty. According to the 2008 Constitution, representatives for ethnic affairs can participate at the union level as legislators to address the needs of ethnic communities. The Akha National Development Party aims to enable this, believing that only then can the party fully realize the true meaning of inclusive democracy.

We believe that building a democratic nation inclusive of all parties can only succeed if the government, Tatmadaw, and political parties cooperate based on mutual trust and a policy of collaboration. The role of Tatmadaw: The Republic of the Union of Myanmar must build a modern Tatmadaw capable of standing firmly in the world, both to ensure that ethnic groups achieve durable peace, to safeguard the country from external threats, and to enhance the nation’s prestige.

We believe that the current domestic challenges can be overcome if Tatmadaw takes primary responsibility while receiving all possible support, and that only through achieving stability in a short time can the country move toward development. Given the current state of the nation, Tatmadaw must play a crucial role in the political reform process to ensure national stability, peace, and the rule of law.

Work Procedure: The Akha ethnic group, in collaboration with national brethren of the Union, has committed to working together in harmony to develop human resources in essential areas such as education, health, social welfare, and the economy. From the party’s founding to the present, it has systematically implemented activities step by step, including conducting basic surveys, analyzing and evaluating data, formulating strategies and tactics, and executing projects. Since its establishment, the party has continuously carried out initiatives across the political, educational, health, social, and economic sectors for the Akha ethnic community.

Esteemed voters and national brethren from Shan State (East),

In the 2025 multiparty democratic general elections, the Akha National Development Party will field 15 candidates for the Akha ethnic constituencies and state Hluttaw constituencies. Therefore, the Akha National Development Party, which aims to uphold ethnic dignity, ancestral pride, and national honour in every aspect, urges the Akha ethnic community and other ethnic voters in eastern Shan State to support and vote for the party’s “Swing” emblem

Nee Sar Ovq Luvq-ur/ May everyone be peaceful

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