Thursday, 24 June 2010 11:35 Phanida
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burma’s electoral watchdog has banned marching in procession, holding flags, chanting slogans or any act urging supporters to protest against the ruling government, further tightening the junta’s stranglehold on public space ahead of upcoming national elections.
The bans came in a Union Election Commission 14-point directive dated June 21, and was followed by criticism from political parties preparing to contest in elections to be held this year. Parties must have at least 1,000 members to take part in the as yet unscheduled polls.
The directive also bars “disturbances” outside any public places including government offices, organisations, factories, workshops, markets, sports grounds, religious institutions, schools and hospitals. Even if parties plan to hold meetings at their offices, they are required to inform local branches of the commission at least one week in advance, the directive says. If they plan gatherings outside their offices they need to apply for a permit also one week in advance.
It also orders parties to ensure no assemblies take place outside buildings or halls while parties are holding meetings or making speeches at any venues. Moreover, it bans speaking out against the junta or the state in speeches, publishing or printing. Speeches or publishing that tarnish the image of the military are also prohibited.
Agence France-Presse reported yesterday that the United States said the day before Burma’s polls would “not be free or fair and will lack international legitimacy”.
Holding knives, weapons or ammunition are also banned, along with “misuse of religion for political gains”, AFP quoted state media as saying. The religious rule appears to be a bid to deny political involvement of Buddhist monks, who led protests in August 2007 known as the “saffron revolution” against fuel price rises that inspired a nationwide revolt against the junta the following month.
Forty-two parties have applied to the commission for registration, out of which, 33 parties have been approved.
One of the directive’s critics, Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics party chairman Aye Lwin, said it would create hurdles to party work in recruiting members. He is believed to have close ties to the military regime.
“I think it is childish. Even religious organisations and soccer teams can wave flags during their activities,” he said. “Political parties are official organisations so they should have the right to use their flags freely, [especially] after getting permission from the EC [Election Commission] to be registered as political parties.”
The directive places extreme restrictions on the movement of political parties to contest the upcoming election but the regime has yet to disclose a poll date.
Union Democratic Party chairman Phyo Min Thein said, “Even charity organisations can use flags to appeal for donations,” adding that he could not understand the move.
According to electoral laws published last March, in Burma’s transition to “disciplined democracy”, the commission can deregister political parties if it deems the parties have violated prohibitions and restrictions in their organisational and canvassing work.
Meanwhile, the commission has said nothing about granting parties airtime, even though such access to state-run television and radio stations for campaigning was granted in the last election 20 years ago.
Detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, which won the 1990 elections by an overwhelming majority, has decided not to contest the elections and demanded that the regime amend the 2008 constitution and electoral laws. The laws ban political prisoners including Suu Kyi from running.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
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