Nov 20, 2010

A Certain Verdict for Junta Parties

Myanmar's state media warned citizens to vote "without fail" in the elections. "Every citizen who values democracy and wants democratic rule must cast their votes without fail," said an editorial in the New Light of Myanmar. "However, some people are inciting the people to refrain from voting in the elections. They are attempting to mislead the people who are walking along the road to multiparty democracy for a change of a new era with instigated words," it said. This was an oblique reference to the jailed leader Aung Suu Kyi who has asked the people and her supporters to boycott the polls.

While the Constitution of Myanmar which has been recently drafted at the behest of the military junta has no stipulation for compulsory voting the State media and other organs have been emphasizing to the people to exercise their right to vote. This will create some disconcert with Suu Kyi having asked the public not to vote as the government has not facilitated fair play by blocking her party. This may be taken amiss by the junta leadership in case they want to pursue a path of confrontation as enough grounds to detain her even after the present period is over on 13 November.

            The call for boycott by Suu Kyi may also prevent anti junta parties as the National Democratic Force (NDF) which is a break away faction of the NLD from gaining votes as supporters may not turn up if it heeds to Suu Kyi. Than Nyein, a former political prisoner and Chairman of the NDF say, “It is our duty to carry on the democratic movement, within the legal fold. It’s the only tangible way to do politics. But others disagreed. So it is very difficult for us of course because we have to start from scratch amidst many accusations against us.” He fears that if his supporters do not turn up, the parties supported by the military will win hands down.

            Many believe that the election verdict is largely known, with former general Thein Shein likely to return as the Prime Minister with his party comprising of a majority of former army colleagues occupying the front rows of the Parliament. Under the circumstances Suu Kyi’s struggle may not yield the desired results at least in the short term.

NOV 2010