Burma ministers quit military posts ahead of polls

Burma’s prime minister and some 22 other ministers retired from their military posts Monday, in a move seen as converting the leadership to civilian form ahead of elections due this year.

An official who requested anonymity said that Prime Minister General Thein Sein and other figures in the government stepped down late Monday and that others would follow. […]

Activists Hold Little Hope for 2010 Elections in Burma

Burma is now preparing for elections at the state, regional and national level. But the country’s much-criticized election laws prompted the main opposition party to opt out, leaving many activists disheartened and disgruntled.

This is how Burmese, pro-democracy advocates living in India reacted to new election rules in Burma. The rules essentially bar Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and other opposition leaders from running […]

Weekly Political Events Regarding the SPDC’s Election (013-2010)

The Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), a Burmese political organization based on the Thai-Burma border, is researching and distributing weekly reports summarizing political events in Burma regarding the SPDC’s Elections. These reports include information on the activities of the SPDC and USDA, opposition groups, armed ethnic groups, cease-fire groups, border guard forces, international governments and non-governmental organizations, and civilians inside Burma.[…]

Weeks 5 and 6: 2010 Elections Watch (6-19 April)

Developments

• The impact of the NLD’s decision to boycott the elections on public confidence in the polls continued to be felt. In a survey involving 520 people in Rangoon, 252 (48%) responded that they do not intend to vote in the election if the NLD does not contest it. […]
April 21, 2010  •  By Altsean-Burma  •  Tags: 2010 Elections, Altsean-Burma  •  Read more ➤

Political Defiance Committee Monthly News Commentary – April 2010

The National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)’s Political Defiance Committee (PDC) is compiling and commentating on monthly political news. These reports include information on the relationship between NLD and the military junta, the activities of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and domestic opposition forces, the relationship between ethnic groups and the SPDC, the junta’s domestic activities, the socio-economic situation in Burma and the international community’s actions and responses […]

Weekly Political Events Regarding the SPDC’s Election (012-2010)

The Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), a Burmese political organization based on the Thai-Burma border, is researching and distributing weekly reports summarizing political events in Burma regarding the SPDC’s Elections. These reports include information on the activities of the SPDC and USDA, opposition groups, armed ethnic groups, cease-fire groups, border guard forces, international governments and non-governmental organizations, and civilians inside Burma.[…]

ASEAN All Talk, No Action on Burma

ASEAN held their 16th Summit this past week in Hanoi, Vietnam, where they discussed enhancing economic cooperation and inaugurated the Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC). The ASEAN leaders were also forced to discuss the issues of Burma’s human rights situation under the military regime and it’s manipulation of the electoral process in the lead up to this year’s polls […]

ASEAN Must Wake Up and Take Firm Measures towards National Reconciliation in Burma

The Task Force on ASEAN and Burma welcomes the calls from ASEAN for national reconciliation and free, fair and inclusive elections in Burma. Indeed, this is what the people have been actively working towards for decade; however, brute military oppression has kept these essential needs from being realized.[…]

Weekly Political Events Regarding the SPDC’s Election (011-2010)

The Network for Democracy and Development (NDD), a Burmese political organization based on the Thai-Burma border, is researching and distributing weekly reports summarizing political events in Burma regarding the SPDC’s Elections. These reports include information on the activities of the SPDC and USDA, opposition groups, armed ethnic groups, cease-fire groups, border guard forces, international governments and non-governmental organizations, and civilians inside Burma.[…]

Elections Without A Judiciary

One of the basic prerequisites of a fair election is that agencies exist which are responsible for settling disputes that arise before, during and afterwards. These disputes take many forms, and are a normal part of electoral politics. It is essential that well-prepared institutions can address these disputes within rules that are clearly set down and understood in advance, and can resolve disputes over the rules themselves […]