MYANMAR ELECTIONS--------JUNTA AND JANATA

November 7 is likely to be one of the most important events in the history of Myanmar as it is holding election to pave the path for long standing demand for democracy. Under immense international pressure, military ruler in Myanmar agreed to reform the way country was moving politically. The election will be based on the new constitution came in force in 2008, quite predictably, the constitution was reform tactically to suit the need of Junta so in nutshell, and the constitution is likely to be the captive of the military wishes.

Getting into the details clear the picture even more, the rules of the game are set by Junta(military rulers) there are roughly 40 political parties contesting the election but the clearance must come from Junta, The party of legendary Aung San Suu Kyi the NLD (national league for democracy) does not find mention in this list and the reason is that her party has not accepted the new constitution, which is a condition before parties get recognized for contesting the election. Out of all people’s assembly seats 25% has to be nominated by Junta and election will fill rest 75% of the seats, the two important parties that probably clout the election are formed by people who were in uniform in the past, the USDP (union solidarity and development party) headed by Thein sein the prime minister and top general right hand and NUP (national unity party) headed by Tun Yi former deputy commander-in-chief.

The military will remain above the constitution any ways and it is chief of the staff of armed forces who will yield the real power, he will likely to have an absolute veto. Freedom of assembly, speech gathering for the public is as restricted as it was in the past, making difficult for other political parties to propagate themselves. Thus above arrangement practically reduces election and democracy to the extent of superficiality.  

Now the question is , is it worth called ‘roadmap for democracy’ and the answer is quite emphatically ‘YES’. At least in place of nothing there is something to choose for, people would have choice to exercise one of the beloved rights in democracies and that is right to vote. As people vote and choose, there emerges democratization of society and psychic that creates movements for more rights, so it’s a great beginning.

What is it meant in international context, very importantly, international pressure will ease helping Myanmar politically and economically, it is almost certain that polity will drift towards India, the world’s largest democracy rather than China which is more beloved to Junta, as the power slips into the hand of people they will find India as more natural partner benefitting immensely to India(primarily through its hydro-carbon and to land locked north east), thus lets hope that the process that begin on 7^th of November culminates into mature democratsation of Myanmar.