The National League for Democracy (NLD), Burma's main democratic opposition party, still has not confirmed which of the 48 constituencies they will run for in the upcoming by-elections.
NLD spokesperson Nyan Win said that party leaders, including pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, have not yet made any firm decision on the issue other than they are sure to participate in Rangoon Division.
“As the Union Election Commission (EC) hasn’t announced anything yet, we can’t say [which constituencies] either. We haven’t decided anything yet because we are waiting for [the EC] announcement and we will try to participate in every constituency that they announce,” said Nyan Win.
The NLD was dissolved because of its refusal to register for the 2010 election in protest at the 2008 Constitution which guaranteed a certain proportion of Parliamentary seats to the Burmese military. But the party decided on Nov. 18 to re-register and run in the upcoming by-elections.
The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party won a landslide in the 2010 election prompting fierce condemnation from rights groups and the international community.
Speculation is spreading that Suu Kyi herself will participate in Kawhmu constituency of Rangoon Division because she previously mentioned that she will represent the neediest people in Burmese society. Older leaders of the NLD, such as vice-chairman Tin Oo, will not stand in the ballot because of their advancing years.
Su Su Nway, a labor rights activist and NLD supporter, told The Irrawaddy that she will support Suu Kyi as much as possible if she stands in Kawhmu Township.
Su Su Nway was recently released from prison and has been awarded the 2006 Humphrey Freedom Award by Montreal-based rights group Rights and Democracy for her courageous struggle for justice and human rights.
According to NLD officials, when the EC announces details for the upcoming by-elections, the party’s central executive committee will decide which candidates will compete and the constituency each will contest. The candidates will be selected depending on their ability with women, youth members and different ethnicities being included.
Phyo Min Thein, one of the 88 Generation Students' leaders who currently coordinates the Youth Network for Education, said that he welcomes the intention of Suu Kyi to contest a constituency where there are poor and needy people.
The NLD is also preparing to re-open their offices across the country and re-organize executive committees in different townships. There are around 300 NLD branches all over Burma.
The 88 Generation Students issued a statement on Monday that they understand why the NLD is participating in the upcoming by-elections, but that they are not going to join a party and compete themselves.
“The 88 Generation of Burma will not consider having anything to do with the by-elections because their leaders such as Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Ko Htay Kywe, etc, as well as ethnic leaders and monks, still remain behind bars,” the statement said.
US Secretary of the State Hillary Clinton said during her recent visit to Burma that she welcomed the reforms which have enabled the NLD and Suu Kyi to stand in the upcoming by-elections, but that more needed to be done including the release of all political prisoners.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment