Ten-party alliance drafts electoral policy

by Nem Davies
Tuesday, 01 September 2009 11:58

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The alliance of 10-political parties in Burma started drafting its electoral policy since Sunday, as part of its preparation to contest in the junta proposed 2010 general elections.

The 'National Politics Alliance League' also referred to as the 'Third Force' in Burmese political circles will complete drafting its policy and manifesto for the elections within a week.

"We are mainly drafting our policy, rules and regulations. What we can do for Burma, our objectives, our attitude towards the Tatmadaw (armed forces), our attitude towards farmers and workers, our culture, religion, among others," Central Committee member Ohn Lwin told Mizzima.

The alliance has accepted the political change being led by the military junta and accepted the controversial 2008 Constitution.

"We prefer peaceful and smooth transition from military rule to civilian rule without fighting and conflicts. We shall take this opportunity of contesting the elections," he said.

This alliance is comprised of the National Politics NLD Youth (Meiktila) which is a breakaway group of the main opposition the 'National League for Democracy' (NLD), Patriotic National Politics Organization (Taung Dwin Gyi), Peace and Progress Organization, National Politics Rakhine State, Demo NLD (Sagaing Division), National Politics Instigators, G-7, Students of Political Economy New Generation, independents and some National Convention delegates.

MP Kyi Win from Mingaladon constituency (1) told Mizzima that the G-7 group comprises of seven elected MPs, who were expelled from NLD in 1999 and are part of the 10-party alliance which was formed in Meiktila, Mandalay Division last July.

Elected MPs in the 1990 general election Kyi Win (Mingaladon 1), Tin Tun Maung (Mingaladon 2), Thein Kyi (Taung Dwin Gyi), Mya Hlaing (Twante) and Hla Soe (Minbu) are members of the G-7 group. They are trying to persuade another expelled MP-elect Than Tun (Dadeye) to join them, it is learnt.

Political observers have predicted that the election commission law for the 2010 election will be enacted and announced after the forthcoming Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) Congress is held in Naypyidaw next month.

"We found election commission signboards being whitewashed while we were walking in Thanlan in Hlaing Townshi," Aye Lwin from the pro-junta New 88 Generation Students and Youth (Union of Burma) said.

The NLD, which won the 1990 general elections, issued a statement after its recent party congress at the end of May and called for review of the 2008 Constitution and its amendment, engaging in dialogue with the opposition and releasing all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi.

The opposition forces of the Sangha (monk) and students, who do not accept the forthcoming election, expressed their determination and commitment to anti-election campaigns.

The junta held general elections in 1990 and the NLD won over 83 per cent of the total seats in what was a landslide victory but the junta still refuses to honour the election results and transfer power to the winning party. After which the junta drafted the new Constitution envisaging a leading role by the army.