NLD Splinter Party Will Participate in Burmese Elections
July 14, 2010
By: Benjamin Russell

A political party comprised of former members of activist Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) has been given permission to participate in Burma’s upcoming elections, according to the AFP.

A spokesman for the National Democratic Force (NDF), which split from the NLD after the latter opted not to run in what they thought would be “sham” elections, said that the party would participate in the contest in an effort to advance Burmese Democracy.

"We formed our party with the aim to continue the democracy struggle under the law. Meantime, we are also trying to solve the social and economic problems that are happening at the moment in the country," said party chairman Than Nyein. “People should assume that the election could possibly bring change.”

But many observers believe the elections, likely to take place in October or November, will simply solidify military control in the country.  Several members of the military junta, which has ruled Burma for 50 years, recently resigned their posts in order to run in the elections as civilians and increase their representation in the legislature (the country’s constitution, which was drafted by the junta, limits the number of seats in parliament that the military can hold).

Nyan Win, spokesperson for the NLD, was skeptical that the NDF’s decision to contest the elections could have a positive impact on Burmese democracy. “It’s their own decision,” he said. “We have to see what they will really do.  The government also recently said it was working for democracy.”

The NLD won the country’s last election in 1990 by a landslide, but was blocked from assuming power by the military. The party leadership chose not to participate in this round of elections after new laws barred Suu Kyi from running for office.  Kyi has garnered international attention for her efforts to promote Burmese democracy over the last two decades and is currently under house arrest despite international calls for her release. 

To read more on the NLD and elections in Burma, see below:
Burmese Junta Announces ‘Election’ Date

Sources:
VOA News – Burma Gives NLD Splinter Party Permit to Participate in Election  

BBC News – Burma Splinter Democracy Group to Run in Poll

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