Violence erupts in wake of Burma’s ‘sham’ election

Three people have reportedly been killed and at least 10 people wounded in clashes between ethnic minority rebels and government forces in Myawaddy, near the Thai border.

The violence comes after international leaders condemned Burma’s first general election in 20 years, saying it was “neither free nor fair”.

In a speech to the Indian Parliament during his visit to New Delhi, the US President Barack Obama condemned the conduct of the election process in Burma.

“It is unacceptable to steal elections, as the regime in Burma has done again for all the world to see,” he said.

“Faced with such gross violations of human rights, it is the responsibility of the international community – especially leaders like the United States and India – to condemn it.”

In a statement, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said voting conditions had been “insufficiently inclusive, participatory and transparent”. He called on the junta to turn the election into “a new beginning” by freeing Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.

State TV said voters cast their ballots “freely and happily” but witness accounts suggest there were severe irregularities and a low turn-out.

Official election results trickled out over state media, showing the military parties in a solid lead, but conclusive results could take at least another day.

This election is a complete sham. Zoya Phan

In the new parliament, Army-backed parties need to win just 26 percent of seats for the military and its proxies to secure a majority.

Zoya Phan fled Burma after three attempts on her life. She is now part of Burma campaign UK and told Channel 4 News that the vote is a step backwards: “My main concern is this election is a complete sham.

“It doesn’t guarantee any freedom for the people, the real freedom that people in Burma want. Instead this election is a step away from democracy and it is just to legalise military rule with a civilian guise.

“The regime is so scared of international pressure that to avoid international pressure they came up with these elections.”

Zoya’s father was killed in 2008 and her own name is now on a Government hit list.

She dreams that one day she will be able to return to her homeland: “Unless we see strong actions from the international community I’m afraid the struggle and the situation will continue in Burma for a long time to come…but I have hope, I really have hope that one day I’ll be able to go home and live in Burma.

“I hope that one day regardless of our race, our ethnicity, our gender, our religion everyone can live peacefully in Burma like they can here in the UK.

“This kind of hope keeps me alive and keeps me going.”

Burma's battle for democracy

A political novice is trying to take on Burma's regime in the name of democracy, writes Asia Correspondent John Sparks 

Is a flawed election better than none at all? This is a question that Yuzar Maw Htun, a 46 year old woman from Rangoon in Burma, has decided in the affirmative. She is a political novice – she's never run in anything before – but this year she felt she had to do something.

Yuzar Maw Htun says it is worth having a go..She is an independent pro-democracy candidate and she wants to improve living conditions for people in Burma. The parliamentary election gives an opportunity to try – even if it’s a tiny opportunity. "Why should we sit aside and say negative things and do nothing,” she said. "We have been waiting … for over two decades and I don’t think we can wait for change by doing nothing."

Channel 4 News has filmed Ms Htun on the campaign trail using a team of local journalists provided by pro-democracy group, Democratic Voice of Burma. These journalists have worked under difficult conditions. Filming without authorisation carries a hefty 10 year prison sentence.

Ms Htun faced plenty of difficulties. First she had to come up with a non-refundable $500 'entry-fee' to run in her Ragoon constituency. This sum is far beyond the means of most people in Burma.

She had had to give the regime 7 days-notice before she met more than 3 supporters at the same time and she had to clear the content of any conversations with members of the public in advance. Ms Htun found it particularly difficult to run a campaign this way: "we are not allowed to freely talk to the masses," she said. "I want to directly respond to voters' questions …. But I don't want to read (from) paper so how can I put one week ahead what I have going to say?"

John Sparks blogs from Burma.

The junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), closely aligned with Than Shwe, fielded 27 ministers in Sunday’s poll and contested almost all of the 1,163 seats that were being contested.

Its only real rival, the National Unity Party (NUP), also backed by the army, was running in 980 seats.

At least six parties filed complaints to the election commission, claiming state workers were forced to vote for the USDP.

The National Democratic Force (NDF), the largest pro-democracy party, accused the USDP of “widespread fraud”.

Focus has now turned to whether Nobel Peace Prize-winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent 15 of the past 21 years in detention, will be freed when her house arrest expires on Saturday.

The leader of Burma’s main opposition party last week urged a boycott of the election.

When Burma last went to the polls, in 1990, Ms Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy won 80 per cent of the vote.

Aung San Suu Kyi was subsequently arrested and has been detained by the authorities in her country for 15 of the past 21 years.

Some analysts say that although this weekend’s vote will not end western sanctions, it may reduce Burma’s isolation.

They argue that the existence of two parties in parliament, pursuing different social and economic policies, could foster greater democratic debate in the country.

Post-election parliaments

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.