Activists assail Burmese junta’s election law, reiterate demands for reform

By Free Burma Coalition-Philippines • March 16, 2010

“Unless the military rulers of Burma seriously initiate tangible political reforms, the 2010 elections will be widely perceived as incredible and undemocratic. Any election law designed only to ensure victory for the military dictators is a garbage not worth recycling.”

Thus said Free Burma Coalition-Philippines (FBC-Phils) spokesperson Egoy Bans in reaction to election laws announced by Burma’s military government on Monday last week. The military rulers of Burma enacted five election-related laws, two of which have now been made public. Three more are to be unveiled in the coming weeks.

ONE-SIDED PROCESS

Bans added, “This election law is a solid evidence of the bankruptcy of military regime’s so-called “roadmap to democracy.” From the national convention that was tasked to draft the constituion under military terms, to the national referendum pursued amidst calamity, it’s undeniable that the roadmap is a complete sham. It’s a one-sided process that will just prolong and legitimize the military junta’s grip to power.

The election law also prohibited detained democracy icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the rest of 2,100 political prisoners from participating in the elections as the law states “anyone convicted by a court of law cannot run for election to the two houses of Parliament.”

Last year, Aung San Suu Kyi was convicted of violating the terms of her house arrest by briefly sheltering an American war veteran who swam uninvited to her lakeside residence. She was then sentenced by the military court to suffer 18 more months of detention.

In another attempt to marginalize the opposition parties in Burma, the ruling junta has used the new election laws to officially nullify the result of polls in 1990 that gave Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition party a landslide victory.

A clause in one of the laws printed in state-controlled newspapers said that the result of the multi-party democracy elections, held under a deleted law, is automatically abolished as it is not in accordance with Myanmar’s new constitution.

UNWILLINGNESS TO DEMOCRATIZE

“Now here’s an election law that effectively excludes and cripples the political opposition while putting the military to greater advantage. Enacting a law just to marginalize Aung San Suu Kyi and her legion of supporters is a sign of the junta’s inability and unwillingness to democratize. The 2010 elections in Burma will be devoid of any democratic integrity if it will be pushed through using intimidation, threaths and brute force,” Bans explained.

He continued, “there are issues of election credibility and transparency but instead of employing an all-inclusive process, the regime opted to bypass all norms of decency by creating an election law in a very secretive and exclusive manner.”

FBC-Phils reiterated its demands that include the unconditional release of Aung San Suu Kyi and the rest of thousands of political prisoners, cessation of hostilities against ethnic nationalities and an all-inclusive review of the 2008 Nargis – Constitution.

“If these demands are met, it could provide a better condition not just for the 2010 elections but also for the genuine national reconcilliation in Burma. The sham 1990 elections should not be repeated and it is the duty of the international community to ensure that,” Bans concluded.

For inquiries, kindly refer to:

Gani Abunda: (+63)929-4109647,
Egoy N. Bans (+63)920 9132472 c/o Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) +632 435 2900; +632 9110205

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Founded on October 30 1995, the Free Burma Coalition – Philippines (FBC-Phils) is a Philippines-based coalition of mass organizations, trade and labor unions, women’s groups, human rights NGOs, academic groups, youth and student groups, various civil society organizations, activist groups and individuals united to extend solidarity and support to the struggle of the peoples of Burma for the full realization of their human rights and democratic ideals through tripartite dialogue for genuine national reconcilliation. FBC-Philippines is a member of Burma Partnership, a regional Burma solidarity alliance supporting the struggle for democratization in Burma.

Tags: 2010 Elections, Election Laws, Free Burma Coalition - Philippines

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Activists assail Burmese junta’s election law, reiterate demands for reform

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