03/30/2010, 00.00
MYANMAR
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The party of Aung San Suu Kyi will not participate in elections

The Council of the National League for Democracy (NLD) has decided not to register for elections. The decision was unanimous. The Vice Chairman confirms the intention to continue fighting for democracy and human rights. Opposing reactions among the Burmese.

Yangon (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The National League for Democracy (NLD) will not participate in elections organized and planned by the military junta in 2010. The decision was taken yesterday unanimously by the 113 members of the board of the main opposition party.

The vote follows the instruction given in recent days by Aung San Suu Kyi, the NLD leader, opposed to the party’s registration. However, the Nobel Laureate also added she would “leave the party free” to  choose whether to participate in the vote, according to the democratic principle.  

The elections held by the military junta, the first in 20 years of dictatorship, have provoked the condemnation of the United Nations, the United States and Britain, along with many other nations. According to the military regime they are "a step on the democratic path" in Myanmar.

Critics point out that the exclusion of the main opposition candidate, with rules "ad personam", departing regularly disrupt the voting and representation. The electoral law also prevents members of religious orders, and civil servants to join political parties. Buddhist monks have been one of the driving forces of protest against the junta in September 2007, drowned in blood by the army.  

The National League for Democracy triumphed in recent elections held in Myanmar in 1990 that were never recognized by the military leadership. The vice-chairman Tin Oo party confirms his intention to "keep fighting, by peaceful means, for democracy and human rights in the country. However, the lack of voter turnout will determine the likely dissolution of the NLD, while putting into question the "credibility" of the election, touted by the junta as a milestone towards democracy.

The decision of the NLD leadership reveals conflicting opinions among the citizens. If the majority have welcomed the choice, some have expressed their displeasure and acknowledge: Currently there is no choice but to vote pro-junta.

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