Burma’s Election Day Marked by Fraud and Low Voter Turnout

By Burma Partnership • November 7, 2010

Despite crippling media restrictions and a ban on international election monitors in Burma, over the course of the day there has been substantial and mounting evidence of significant elections-related violations emerging from the country.

Violations reported by media, citizens inside Burma, and inside networks include accusations of ballot stuffing, unsecure ballot boxes, flawed voter lists, lack of secret voting processes, and illegal campaigning. Many voters were also told how to vote by polling station staff or had their ballots cast in their name. Members of the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) interfered in many polling stations, taking on roles and responsibilities prohibited in the election laws.

Reports indicate that the vast majority of eligible voters did not participate in the elections. Eyewitness reports indicated sparse voting in the morning with many polling stations completely empty by early afternoon. They estimated that voter turnout may have been as low as 30%. Reuters reported that more people packed pagodas and attended church than casting ballots. From inside reports received through Burma Partnership’s networks, it is clear that there was widespread indifference and apathy throughout the country towards the elections, with people holding little hope that the elections would bring any improvement to their daily lives and believing that the results are a foregone conclusion. One resident in Mon State said, “The people aren’t keen on voting. They’re just not interested. They know their votes will not change anything.” Another stated that, “The people say it’s already known who will win the election and that’s why they are not voting.”

Information continues to emerge slowly via internet, phone and messenger, at great personal risk to those sharing it with their fellow citizens and the rest of the world. Burma Partnership will continue to collect this information on the Burma Election Tracker website in the next hours and days in order to present a clearer picture of how the elections have unfolded.

Within the context of the pre-election violations, it is already clear that these polls have failed to serve the fundamental purpose of multiparty elections: for the will of the people to form the basis of the authority of the government. The absence of widespread willing public participation alone highlights how the people of Burma have already expressed their lack of trust and confidence in these elections.

Tags: Burma Election Tracker, Burma Partnership

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Burma’s Election Day Marked by Fraud and Low Voter Turnout

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