Burma’s Main Opposition Party Dissolves in Protest of Harsh Election Laws
May 13, 2010
By: Randi Zung

On April 30, Burmese state media reported that members of the Burmese military applied to form a new political party ahead of elections that are scheduled to take place later this year.  Days prior to the announcement, Prime Minister Thein Sein, along with approximately 20 other individuals, resigned from the country’s military.  It is believed that the newly registered party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), was formed because the current Burmese constitution allocates a finite number of seats to both the military and to civilians.  According to BBC News, the mass retirement is being viewed as an attempt to increase the military junta’s presence in the government, further solidifying its power. 

Referring to the junta’s latest political move, Win Tin, a spokesman for the National League for Democracy, said: “What I see is that the generals are systematically trying to keep power with legitimacy.”  In addition to the USDP, a Burmese newspaper reported that 25 groups have registered as political parties, but so far only 12 of those parties have been cleared to participate in the election.

USDP is being viewed by critics as a shadow party for the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), the junta’s main governing organization that encompasses a multitude of Burmese states, districts, and townships.  Boasting approximately 24 million members, BBC News also reports that USDA was accused of committing various crackdowns on pro-democracy movements within the country, including the suppression of monk-led protests in 2007 and an attack on detained NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi in 2003.

On May 6, the NLD formally dissolved following the party’s decision to abstain from the upcoming parliamentary elections.  Since winning Burma’s last election in 1990, many leaders of the NLD have been detained for their pro-democracy activism.  According to the new election laws, individuals who have been convicted by the Burmese government are banned from political participation.  With many of their top leaders ineligible to participate, the NLD declined to register.  Win Tin, a co-founder of the NLD stated: “We decided as a party, as a whole [to boycott the election]. It is a great moment for us, it is a great message to the military that our party is sound.”  Win Tin also stated that NLD supporters should boycott the election.

On an official trip to Burma, US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell met with Burmese officials and members of the former NLD party.  According to Voice of America, one of the main objectives of Campbell’s visit is to express US concerns over the new Burmese election laws.  Campbell stated, “We have very real concerns about the election laws and the environment that has been created. And, we will be looking to clarify some questions and also to urge the government to broaden its overall approach.”  The upcoming election, which is being viewed by international human rights groups, governing bodies, and foreign governments as a “sham” to reify the junta’s power, does not yet have a set date.  These latest developments – including the recent announcement of stricter election laws – indicate that the military junta shows no signs of loosening its authoritarian grip. 

For previous news on Burma, please see:
Suu Kyi Opposes NLD’s Participation in Upcoming Election

Sources:
BBC News - Burma PM 'applies to form new political party'

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