Week 27: 2010 Election Watch (7-13 September)

By Altsean-Burma • September 15, 2010

Developments

The Myanmar Democracy Congress and the Myanmar New Society Democratic Party failed to field at least three candidates as required by the SPDC election laws. Myanmar Democracy Congress General Secretary Kaung Htet announced that the party would boycott the upcoming elections because of the SPDC Election Commission’s “unacceptable and unsatisfactory” actions.
Plainclothes police officers monitored the Rakhine Nationals Progressive Party when it held a ceremony to commemorate the death of Rakhine monk U Ottama at its offices in Akyab, Arakan State. The Arakan State Election Sub-commission had denied the party’s request to hold a public ceremony.
Union Solidarity and Development Party officials in Kyaukpyu Township, Arakan State, ordered all Village Chairmen in the Township to recruit 50 villagers for the party.
Union Solidarity and Development Party members prohibited members of Kayan National Party from campaigning in Dimawso Township, Karenni State.
State-run newspapers said that people who don’t vote are “irresponsible opportunists” and “too foolish to enjoy democracy.”

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Reactions

National Democratic Force Chairman Than Nyein said the NDF has “no objection” to SPDC members contesting in the polls, but that “they should consider whether they should do so without giving up their authority and status.”
Democratic Party (Myanmar) Executive Secretary Nay Yee Ba Swe said she saw “no election campaigns of any other political party except by the government’s party.”
Kayan National Development Foundation Coordinator Khun Bo Bo accused the Union Solidarity and Development Party of “cheating” when it prohibited members of Kayan National Party from campaigning in Dimawso Township, Karenni State.
Thailand’s representative on the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Sriprapha Phetmeesri said “it would be good” if independent observers could monitor the election process in Burma.

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This post is in: 2010 Elections