Yangon residents protest against 'neo dictatorship'

They chanted slogans and carried placards that said: “Down with old or neo dictatorship”, “No PR system”, “The Constitution must be rewritten in a democratic manner”, “Ensure justice”, and “Grant full human rights”. 

The current electoral system allows only the candidate who wins the most votes in his or her constituency to take a seat in Parliament. A proportional representation system would see some seats allocated based on the proportion of votes a party receives. It is widely regarded as a move by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) to prevent the opposition National League for Democracy from gaining control of Parliament. The NLD swept the by-elections held in April 2012, winning almost all of the 45 seats it contested, after boycotting the 2010 elections that saw the USDP gain power.

Yesterday’s protesters said the attempt to introduce a PR system was a violation of their desire for more – not less – democracy. “The government must abolish any electoral system if the people disapprove of it,” said one participant. “If this new system is to be adopted, national unity could fall apart. We don’t accept it at all. We oppose it,” he added. 

A similar demonstration is scheduled for Shwepyitha Township on October 26.

On July 24, the Lower House approved a proposal to discuss adoption of the PR system despite objections from opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and 42 MPs from ethnic political parties. In a show of disdain against the effort to change the electoral system, MPs from ethnic political parties subsequently boycotted Parliament.

Protests against the PR system have also occurred at City Hall and in Pazundaung Township. 

Four types of proportional representation are being considered: party list, mixed member, mixed member majoritarian and single transferable vote.