Guest Comments by the Burma Partnership

NEAR BURMA – The just-finished “election” in Burma featured fraudulent activities, low voter turnout and skepticism that the polls will bring any real changes to people's lives. Despite crippling media restrictions and a ban on international election monitors, substantial evidence emerged of elections-related violations.

The violations undermine the election's credibility, but match pre-election conditions. Far in advance, the military regime failed to create conditions to accurately represent public will. Tight restrictions, controls on campaigning, vote buying, questionable advance-vote collecting and threats set the stage.

Inside reports from individuals and activist networks show a clear sense of indifference and apathy. A resident in Mon State said, “The people aren't keen on voting. They're just not interested. They know their votes will change nothing.”

The junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) “won” many constituencies. The National Democratic Force, the Shan Nationals Democratic Party, the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party and the Inn National Development Party each won a handfull of seats.

The USDP success comes as no surprise, given the substantial reports of election violations. Media, citizens and inside networks report ballot-stuffing, unsecured ballot boxes, flawed voter lists, lack of secret-voting processes and illegal campaigning. Many voters were told how to vote by polling station staff or had ballots cast in their names. At many polling stations, USDP members interfered, taking on roles prohibited in the election laws.

While reports indicate that most eligible voters did not participate, some endeavored to show discontent. We heard of people writing in the name of detained democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on ballots. Others purposefully spoiled their votes. Information continues to emerge about brave acts of resistance.