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General elections are scheduled to be held in Burma in 2010, following the approval of a new constitution in a referendum held in May 2008. The new constitution was proposed by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in February 2008.[1] The elections will form part of junta leader General Than Shwe's seven-step "road map to democracy".[2] A date for the election has not been set.
Due to Article 59F of the new constitution banning from public office people who are or were married to foreigners, Aung San Suu Kyi will be unable to contest the election.[3][4] The United Nations, members of ASEAN and Western nations have criticised the decision to ban Suu Kyi, saying that the election would not be free and fair if she was in detention.[5][6][7]
The SPDC has not answered opposition calls to amend the 2008 constitution or state clearly how the electoral process will be managed and the terms that new political parties can organise.[8] In a speech to military retirees, Than Shwe said that the transition to a parliamentary system meant various parties with different opinions would appear, but he warned that the new parties should "avoid anything that leads to harming state interests".[9]
The National League for Democracy has set a number of conditions for participating in the poll, including changes to the constitution to reduce the army's influence, international supervision for free and fair polls, and freeing all political prisoners including Suu Kyi.[10] Senior General Than Shwe, leader of the ruling military junta, has pledged to release political prisoners in an amnesty before the election, though he has not stated when this would occur.[11] On August 11, 2009, Suu Kyi was sentenced to imprisonment for three years with hard labour over a trespass incident. This sentence was commuted by the military rulers to further house arrest of eighteen months.[12]
The new Democratic Party, established by the daughters of two former Prime Ministers of Burma, U Nu and Ba Swe, is aiming to take part in the election.[13] Than Than Nu will run as General Secretary of the party.[14] Media coverage of the party has been banned by the military government.[15]
Another new party is being formed compromising members of a ceasefire group and a party that won seats in the 1990 elections. The New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF), who make up the new party, are yet to announce if they will participate in the elections.[16] Other ethnic groups say they will not take part.[8]
See also
References
- ^ Burma sets date for popular votes. BBC News. February 9, 2008.
- ^ Myanmar leader says 2010 election plans on course. Kuwait Times. November 30, 2008.
- ^ Ban on Suu Kyi shatters hopes for Myanmar polls: analysts. AFP. February 19, 2008.
- ^ Burma: Militärjunta schließt Suu Kyi von Wahlen aus. DiePresse.com. (in German). February 20, 2008.
- ^ Pichai, Usa (July 21, 2009). ASEAN Foreign Ministers expect Burma to act responsively. Mizzima.
- ^ Aziakou, Gerard (July 13, 2009). UN chief tells Myanmar to deliver on poll pledge. AFP.
- ^ Gray, Dennis (July 21, 2009). Indonesia criticizes military-ruled Myanmar. Taiwan News.
- ^ a b McCartan, Brian (September 30, 2009). US takes a radical turn on Myanmar. Asia Times Online.
- ^ Burma's Ruling General Confirms 2010 Election. Voice of America. October 10, 2009.
- ^ Burmese Opposition Party Sets Conditions for Elections. Voice of America. April 29, 2009.
- ^ Myanmar considering amnesty for pol prisoners. Zee News. July 14, 2009.
- ^ Burma court finds Suu Kyi guilty. BBC News. August 11, 2009.
- ^ Daughters of Burma’s leaders join new party. Taipei Times. September 17, 2009.
- ^ U Nu’s daughter to enter elections. Democratic Voice of Burma. September 15, 2009.
- ^ Junta bans weekly journals from pro-election media coverage. Mizzima. September 22, 2009.
- ^ Mon groups merge for new political party. Democratic Voice of Burma. September 16, 2009.
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