03.06.2007

Editorial: People’s Votes cannot be Ignored

_ By Htun Aung Gyaw

The 1990 election results are still ignored by the SPDC regime and the NLD has not had a chance to call in the parliament and form a new democratic government.   Some people might say the 1990 election is not valid anymore, but from my point of view it is still valid.  Even though General Saw Maung openly promised the country that after the election he would hand over the political power to the winning party, he broke his promise after the NLD won the election with 82% of the parliamentary seats. People wholeheartedly voted for the NLD party and their vote cannot be ignored or cancelled by anyone including the SPDC, so the election results are still valid.

But the NLD leadership without Daw ASSK and U Tin Oo has been seen as weak and incompetent that led some activists to turn against NLD leadership.   But the initiative led by 88 Generation Students inspired the people and the NLD members; especially the NLD youth wing.  Current NLD leaders realize they have to take action instead of remaining in sitting duck positions and waiting for change without confrontation.

On the other hand, the NCGUB and other activist groups still lag behind the current movement. The problem is that NCGUB leadership has never intended for change and as a result there is no progress while claiming to be the exile government.   If the NCGUB dares to change to a Federal government instead of only one formed by the parliamentary members, it will draw interest from democratic forces around the world.  The exile government needs to form as a Federated Government composed of 1990 elected members, ethnic resistance leaders, technocrats, prominent activists and scholars, then it will start working as a government, otherwise it is only run by two or three people without progress and initiative.   The SPDC is very happy to see the NCGUB as the leading exile group since NCGUB's current position is helping the SPDC indirectly stay in power. 

People power is the only way to topple the ruthless regime because most of the activist organizations evolutionally changed from revolutionary organizations to NGOs, and their only intention is how to apply for a grant, but no longer to participate in revolution anymore.

Comments:

Derek said _

The Economist commented on 19 May 1990, shortly before the elections:

"The ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council is determined that the election on May 27th is held in as much privacy as it can impose. The little news that does come out is uniformly bad and seems to confirm that describing the election campaign as free and fair, as the military leaders persist in doing, is a macabre joke................"

Georgie said _

Ko Htun Aung Gyaw, I agree with you on the point that the 1990 election results are STILL VALID and attesting to the people of Burma desire for democratic rule in their country in place of one-party authoritarian (BSPP of Ne Win's) or much less today's military (SPDC military regime's) rule in Burma. Hence, nobody, organization or authority other than the people of Burma, least of all today's ruling military junta led by Than Shwe,  have the right to REVOKE or CANCEL the 1990 multi-party election results or say anything contrary to the fact. ERIOD.

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