Election Voices

By IRRAWADDY

The consensus among those who took part in last Sunday's election as independents or candidates of parties not backed by the ruling regime was that it was grossly unfair and marred by blatant vote-rigging that favored the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). While some called on the junta-appointed Election Commission to address numerous reports of irregularities, others expressed doubt that any action would be taken.
Below is a sampling of some of the views expressed by candidates and other observers of Burma's first election in 20 years.

“What people voted for was the Peacock, but the only result was the Lion. Polling station officials themselves brought the ballot boxes to their homes and stole a lot of ballots.”


—Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein, a Democratic Party (Myanmar) candidate, referring to her party's peacock symbol and the USDP's lion emblem in describing the outcome of Sunday's election


“There is still room for the government to bring changes. If they still want honor, they should form a full-fledged civilian government. This is the very start of the start.”

—Than Than Nu, a Democratic Party (Myanmar) candidate, who lost in the election to the USDP

“The vote rigging by officials was an insult to Snr-Gen Than Shwe. I was not even allowed to enter the polling booth to watch the vote count.”

—Kaung Myint Htut, an independent candidate who conceded defeat to the USDP candidate, Rangoon mayor Aung Thein Lin

“We didn't expect this election to be free and fair. We tolerated various restrictions on us, from election laws to campaign rules. But Sunday's polls were far more unfair than we anticipated. I have urged my party's candidates not to sign forms recognizing the controversial returns.”

—Dr. Than Nyein, chairman of the National Democratic Force

“I accept my loss, but this was not a free and fair election. Election Commission officials violated their own vote-counting rules. If I had won, I would have striven from within Parliament to strengthen the principle that 'no one is above the law' in our country. But now I will have to push for that from outside Parliament.”

—Thein Tin Aung, a Union Democratic Party parliamentary candidate who ran in Rangoon's Tamwe Township


“I want the Election Commission to recount the ballots. But even though we can make complaints to the commission within 15 days, nothing will come of it. Commission officials rejected my volunteer vote-counting observers, but they allowed USDP agents to observe.”

—Daw Khin Thein Win, an independent parliamentary candidate who lost her bid to represent Rangoon's Shwepyithar Township


“What a load of rubbish.”

—Kim Aris, the second son of democratic opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, describing Burma's election in an interview in Bangkok

“The election was completely unfair and certainly not free. The extreme degree of vote-rigging that took place in every township and city showed a total disregard for the will of the people.”
—Khin Maung Swe, the leader of National Democratic Force

“One party used Suu Kyi's name while another used advance ballots for their own advantage. People are living in darkness and struggling for their lives.”

Nayee Ba Swe, a Democratic Party (Myanmar) parliamentary candidate for Rangoon's Sanchaung Township. She lost to U Soe Win of the National Democratic Force, which broke away from Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy to run in the election

“I am quite pleased with the results in Sittwe in Arakan State. But I will make complaints to the Election Commission about dishonest advance ballots for the USDP and irregularities in vote-counting.”

—Dr. Aye Maung, the chairman of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party


“This was not an election at all. Burma had livelier elections even under [former dictator] Ne Win. The generals will continue to rule.”