Country gears up for Nov 8 election

The NLD is expected to win a landslide victory in the general election, which is being called the most democratic poll in six decades. Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing told the BBC recently he believed the election would be free and fair. The military has blocked attempts to amend the constitution to end its control of parliament, but the commander-in-chief said it would welcome the election’s outcome. 

The NLD boycotted the 2010 poll held under military rule. Confirming its participation this year, Suu Kyi said, “We believe we have a responsibility to run in the election…If our party wants to serve the interests of the people, we must gain power democratically. If we interfere in the administrative arena without this power, it could disrupt our political stability”. 

The NLD will compete mainly against the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), with tens of smaller parties also on the ballot. Among them are ethnic parties, which are gearing for the election despite financial difficulties.

Saw Deniar, chairperson of the Kayah National Race Democracy Party (KNRDP), said, “The main challenge is finance. We are afraid of an unfair election. We’ve heard that many political parties are going to compete in Kayah state. There might be threats from the armed groups or influence from the big parties that have large election budgets. The ethnic parties have small budgets.”

The KNRDP has more than 20,000 members and is planning to compete in 20 of the 30 constituencies in Kayah state. 

Po Yei, chairman of the smaller Kayah All Nationalities Democracy Party, is worried that unsophisticated voters might be swayed by pledges of money and other promises. He is also concerned about fairness, saying that if the election were truly free and fair, the USDP would not win a single seat in Kayah state. 

Saw Deniar also cast doubt on President Thein Sein’s intentions in visiting the state on July 17 and 18. 

“The president’s visit to Kayah state was political. His strategy was like a chess player’s. First he said he wouldn’t compete in the election but then he declared he would run if the public welcomed it.”

The prominent role being played by the Ma Ba Tha (Organisation for the Protection of Race and Religion) was underscored on July 18 when a group of youngsters was seen distributing leaflets that attacked the NLD and its leader Suu Kyi during a donation ceremony in Myaungmya township, Ayeyawady region. Htay Oo, vice chairman of the ruling USDP, and several government ministers were present at the ceremony. 

“The authorities attended our ceremony because they were invited,” said the abbot of Arzarni monastery, who is chairman of the township’s Ma Ba Tha chapter.

 “Youngsters were used (to distribute the leaflets) because of their ignorance…They just wanted to show at the ceremony that they were willing to work.” 

The election will go ahead despite the fact that the national cease-fire agreement with armed ethnic groups has not been signed. Last week, the eighth round of talks between the government’s Union Peace-making Work Committee and the ethnic groups’ delegation kicked off in Yangon.

Dr Largar, deputy leader of the ethnic groups’ delegation, said, “The government and the Tatmadaw (military) must seek a solution by holding talks with all the ethnic armed groups that are focused on a cease-fire in the interests of the union and people. 

“A deal can only be reached if no group or region is left out. Only then can we seek a peaceful solution to the root causes of disputes.”

The government announced last week it would create a ministry of ethnic affairs in line with the law for the protection of ethnic rights. 

“The process will be continued with the agreement of regional or state parliaments,” said deputy minister of the president’s office Kyaw Kyaw Win.