Intimidation, Imprisonment and Repression: The Road to Military Victory in the 2010 Elections

This 2010 Election report of ND-Burma is based on 247 cases researched throughout Burma. The report presents violations of Human Rights under 9 headings explaining how the military government has committed widespread violations to ensure victory of USDP party in the 2010 election […]

Burma’s 2010 Elections: The story so far

This briefer shows that despite the SPDC’s repeated pledges for “free and fair” elections, indicators for election monitoring based on EU, UN, and OSCE guidelines point to the contrary. The SPDC election laws and conduct of the SPDC Election Commission have caused the dissolution of parties that won 84% of seats in the last election, and disenfranchised at least 1.5 million voters […]

Monitoring of the media coverage prior to 7 November elections in Burma – Report n.1 (August 2010)

Since August 2010, MEMO 98 has been systematically monitoring the media coverage of the 7 November parliamentary elections in Burma (Myanmar). The project’s goal is to provide an accurate picture of the state and independent media’s behaviour in the campaign prior to Burma’s elections. Over a period of three months, the project seeks to evaluate the mass media’s performance in providing objective and balanced coverage of the candidates and their platforms so the citizens of Burma can make well-informed choices at the ballot box […]

China’s Myanmar Strategy: Elections, Ethnic Politics and Economics

As Myanmar approaches its first elections in two decades, China’s primary concerns are the security and stability of its south-western border and protecting its strategic and economic interests in the country […]

Upholding the Responsibility to Protect in Burma/Myanmar

Introduction

The situation in Burma/Myanmar remains grave. With elections scheduled for 7 November 2010 international attention on the country has increased. Such attention, and any policy action taken, must focus not only on the goal of democratic transition, and concerns about the regimes nuclear collaboration with North Korea, but also on the plight of Burma’s ethnic minorities who continue to suffer atrocities at the hands of the government. These atrocities may rise to the level of crimes against humanity, war crimes and ethnic cleansing – crimes states committed themselves to protect populations from at the 2005 World Summit, as described in the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect policy brief dated 4 March 2010, “Applying the Responsibility to Protect to Burma/Myanmar[…]

Burma Briefing No. 1: Burma’s transition to civilian dictatorship

A new commentary on Burma’s elections by Burma Campaign UK.

The key points of this week’s briefing are:

• Burma’s ‘elections’ will not bring the kind of change needed in Burma.
• Calls for free and fair elections miss the point. The Constitution enshrines civilian dictatorship […]

Burma’s 2010 Electoral Framework: Fundamentally Undemocratic – A Legal and Human Rights Analysis

This study draws on contributions from numerous experts in the region and comparative election, constitutional and human rights law. Since 1995, NDI has worked with partners to advance the cause of democracy in Burma. The 2010 elections in theory could have provided an opportunity to advance democratic progress and national reconciliation, which in turn could have helped significantly improve the lives of people in Burma. Based on its analysis, NDI came to the conclusion shared by many experts that the election process will not be a step forward and risks being yet another setback […]

Union Election Commission Directive No.2/2010

Enlisting the strength of political parties

Introduction

1. For holding a free and fair multi-party democracy general election in 2010, the Union Election Commission is granting permission to set up political parties and register as political parties in accord with the Political Parties Registration Law […]

Burma’s 2010 Elections: Implications of the New Constitution and Election Laws

A report that outlines the SPDC’s 2008 Constitution and the new Election Laws, as well as responses from inside Burma and internationally. Includes the Congress’ position on the elections and possible actions depending on the SPDC’s next steps.

Myths Vs Realities: Burma’s 2010 Elections

A paper that addresses some of the myths surrounding Burma’s 2010 elections and the 2008 Constitution.

Available in English and Burmese.