New Delhi (AsiaNews) – When Myanmar’s military junta announced elections for 7 November, the first in 20 years, it also announced further restrictions on the poll, raising doubts among ordinary Burmese about the process itself. Under a 13-point regulation, presented as a way to ensure “free and fair” elections, candidates who want to speak publicly must apply for a permit seven days in advance. Such initiatives cannot in any event disturb public order or cause traffic problems.

Even though the new constitution has already prevented opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from running, she will remain under house arrest during the election. Meanwhile, Myanmar’s military regime, which has been in power since 1962, has already ensured that it would control the new government since the upper house of the new parliament, whose members will be largely chosen by the military, will have veto power.

More than 40 parties are running, including the junta’s Union Solidarity and Development Party. By contrast, Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, which won the elections 20 years ago that the military never acknowledged, has decided to boycott the vote. Parties can pick their candidates until 30 August.

AsiaNews spoke to Tint Swe, a member of the cabinet of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) set up after the 1990 elections. After fleeing to India in 1990, he has lived in New Delhi since 21 December 1991.

If one looks at a particular exercise like the election on 7 November in Burma it is clear that it is neither free nor fair. The election is ruled by a constitution that is restricted and exclusive. The Election Commission that is going to oversee the election is controlled and exclusive too. Now, more recent instructions imposed on political parties and candidates are also restricted, controlled, and exclusive.

After deliberately excluding the people’s choice in the 1990 election, namely the National League for Democracy (NLD) and its leader Aung San Suu Kyi, from contesting the election, parties that have registered to run this year face a number of challenges. 

A political party needs 500 brave members in regional elections and 1,000 in national elections. However, intimidation and a culture of fear are in place and organisers must risk their lives and future. A candidate has to deposit 500,000 Kyat (US$ 500) in a country where all the money is in the hands of generals and their cronies. There are 40 political parties, including five that ran in the 1990 election.

This poll is strangely different from that of 1990 when seats were based on population. Now in Mandalay Division, a candidate will need more than 100,000 votes to be elected. In Chin State, a candidate will need less than 50,000. Believe it or not, in Nayphydaw, the reclusive city where only senior general Than Shwe and his regime live will elect five Members of Parliament, each requiring only 1,000 voters. It is clear that new rules are based on the interests of the junta. 

Applicants and candidates have to meet all sorts of unnecessary criteria to stand for office. Even then, their application could be rejected. If a candidate is lucky enough to get through, he or she is not allowed to march and show party flag or placards. Everyone must shut their mouths. Publications and printed materials must go through double censorship. 

The official campaign period has yet to be announced but the Election Commission will finish its scrutiny of candidates by 10 September. Public spaces and buildings are not allowed for political gatherings. However, the government’s party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), has been using all possible venues for free. 

At present, the international community is only offering recommendations and criticisms. The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on the Burmese authorities to hold free and fair elections. The US administration and EU parliamentarians have called for the creation of a United Nations Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma.