Thousands flee Burma in post-election fighting
Burma’s first election in 20 years was supposed to mark the end of military rule – but nothing’s changed, writes John Sparks, as the junta declares victory and refugees flee fighting in the country.
Clashes between ethnic rebels and government forces continued for a third day as the country’s pro-democracy parties conceded defeat in Burma’s first general elections in 20 years.
The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), closely aligned with the head of state, Than Shwe, declared it had won up to 80 per cent of seats, although official results are yet to be released.
At least six parties have lodged complaints with the electoral commission of “widespread fraud”.
Security has been beefed up at the border as Thai forces try to restore peace. But the Thai army warned that while fighting near Myawaddy appeared to have eased on Tuesday, the exodus of refugees highlighted the potential for further unrest.
The ruling junta said the elections would put Burma on a “self-proclaimed road to democracy,” but western leaders have branded the vote as “unfair and repressive.”
'The news isn't good' for pro-democracy candidates
My report last night looked at pro-democracy candidate Yuzar Maw Htun's attempt to get elected to the national "People's Parliament" of Burma, writes Asia Correspondent John Sparks.
The news was't good when I reached her..."I am going to have to work ten times harder next time," she told me. Hard work might not be enough. Channel 4 News understands that not a single pro-democracy candidate has been elected.
Read more on a bad day for democracy in Burma by John Sparks
US President Barack Obama condemned the election process, saying: “It is unacceptable to steal elections, as the regime in Burma has done again for all the world to see.”
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on the junta to free Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners, saying voting conditions had been “insufficiently inclusive, participatory and transparent”.
Suu Kyi’s term of house arrest is supposed to expire on Saturday, though the junta has not said if she will be released.
‘Possible civil war’
Several human rights groups are warning of possible civil war as the government pressures ethnic groups to accept a new constitution of military rule.
“If the dictatorship goes ahead with plans to attack all armed groups refusing to surrender, today’s fighting will be the equivalent of a first small skirmish,” said the Burma Campaign UK in a statement.
For the first time in Burmese history, there will be three parliaments following the elections: the People’s Parliament, the Nationalities Parliament and the Regions or State Parliament.
Each will contain a mixture of military and civilian seats. According to the 2008 constitution, a quarter of the 1,158 parliamentary seats are automatically reserved for the military prior to voting.
The People’s Parliament and Nationalities Parliament will together form the Union Parliament, and occupy the lower house of the parliament. The Regions or State Parliament, which acts as the senate, will occupy the upper house.
Campaigners claim that one of the major controversies surrounding the 2010 elections is that 25 per cent of parliamentary seats have already been assigned to the military, which will give them them huge power regardless of the results.
The constitution also makes a vague reference to the rule that both the vice president and president “shall be well acquainted with the affairs of the Union, such as…military”.
Pro-democracy campaigners say this implies that experience in the army may be a prerequisite for the top positions. Observers say this contradicts the junta’s pledge to leave power and make way for a civilian government.
