Now Burmese junta mouthpiece criticizes NLD

By Nava Thakuria
While the international community and media continue condemning the

military rulers of Burma for its farce electoral laws, the junta has

put forward its argument that the National League for Democracy

adopted narrow-minded practices. Junta's mouthpiece The New Light of

Myanmar has come out the headline news that 'if NLD wants to amend the

Constitution it should run for the election and should act in accord

with the law calling for constitutional amendment ---'.

Quoting the junta officials, the government-run news paper also urged

the Aung San Suu Kyi led NLD to adopt a broader view and 'not a

narrow-minded view' based on personal and organizational prejudice.

Relating to the US assistant secretary of State for East Asian and

Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell's visit to Burma, the newspaper tried to

clarify the junta's stand on many serious issues of international

concern.
Mentionable that NLD did not register with the Burmese junta

controlled election commission and thus faces forced dissolution since

May first week. The newspaper of May 12 issue, categorically denied

that the present military regime named as State Peace and Development

Council has adopted any flawed electoral laws.
“However, NLD criticized the laws unjust and refused to register. We

have ensured the all inclusiveness of the elections. It is up to the

NLD to decide not to take part,” said in the newspaper.

It also added, “There are three main points that NLD is claiming

unjust. The first is Article 6 (c) of Political Parties Registration

Law which states that political parties shall protect the Constitution

of the Union of Myanmar. The NLD said that it cannot accept the

provision as it has called for the amendment of the Constitution.

Actually, that provision merely calls for maintaining the

Constitution, but does not call for a pledge that parties will never

amend or try to amend the Constitution or that the Constitution is not

amendable or cannot be amended at all.”
It also pointed out that 'If NLD representatives are elected, they can

initiate discussions on constitutional amendments at Hluttaw and go on

with amendment procedures in accord with the provisions. However,

amendments cannot be made outside the Hluttaw. Neither the NLD nor the

government has the right to do so'.
The US envoy visited the country recently and met many high level

minister and officials at Nay Pyi Taw. The newspaper claimed that

meeting of Campbell with the SPDC Spoke Authoritative Team, Burmese

foreign minister, science & technology minister, labour minister and

the chairman of Union Election Commission of Burma with others.

Quoting the election commission, the newspaper reported, “The nation

is going to hold the multiparty democracy general elections this year.

Nowadays, we have issued Political Parties Registration Law, the

election laws and rules and also formed the Union Election Commission.

---- The Election Law and rules also guarantee a free, fair, credible

and all inclusive elections”, adding, “Up to now 36 parties have

submitted applications to the Commission in accord with the laws and

rules. Of them, 31 have been permitted to set up. More parties are

expected to submit applications. There are also many who will take

part as independent candidates.”
Among those parties, some are formed with Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin,

Mon, Rakhine, Shan, PaO, Palaung, Wa, Mro (or) Khami, Kayan, Inn, Lahu

and Kokang nationals. In this regard, it can be found that political

parties from hilly and plain regions of the whole region, including

ethnic races, are allowed to participate in 2010 election, the

election commission revealed.
It also assured that the polling will be recorded in front of the

public, and vote counting will be carried out at the polling station.

Ballot counting will be under the supervision of the returning officer

or an assigned staff of the polling station and it will be witnessed

by the polling station staff, the public and the representatives

assigned by the candidates, the election commission claimed.

The junta-owned newspaper also asserted, “The fact is that the

Constitution was ratified with overwhelming public support. Therefore,

Hluttaw members who are the public representatives will have the right

to make amendments at the Hluttaw in accord with the provisions. If

NLD wants to amend the Constitution it should run for the election and

should act in accord with the law. Otherwise it is like making

impracticable demands. So its decision to stay away from the election

will only further complicate the situation. It will only lead to

confrontation.”
Mentionable that Campbell met the detained pro-democracy Burmese icon

Suu Kyi also. The junta allowed him to meet Nobel Peace laureate at a

government guest house in Rangoon on May 10. In his departure

statement, the US envoy however termed his visit to Burma as

disappointed. Campbell said that he proposed for a credible dialogue

with all stakeholders, but the junta insisted that it would go ahead

with their own guidelines for the general election.