Myanmar election: Will it get real democracy?

Yagon, Nov 7: An estimated 29 million people contributed their votes in the polls in Mayanmar on Nov 7, for the first time since May 27, 1990. But the question here has been raised whether it would really get democracy.

Many believed that by holding the election in the country, Mayanmar stepped towards change in the nation which has been under military dictatorships since 1962.

Yaron Mayer, Israeli Ambassador to Myanmar stated, "This election is a good start for the country."

However, speaking on democracy during the interaction with Indian students in Mumbai on Nov 7, US President Barack Obama criticised Myanmar by claiming that the elections in the country would be anything but 'free and fair' and exhorted everyone to speak up for democracy and freedom.

Obama also called for the release of democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest or in prison.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Kyi has been detained for most of the past 20 years and supported a boycott of the latest election on Nov 7.

Union Solidarity and Development Party fought with 1,112 candidates for the 1,159 seats in the two-house national parliament and 14 regional parliaments.

The closest rival of USD, the National Unity Party with 995 candidates, has been backed by supporters of Myanmar's previous military ruler.

The largest opposition party, the National Democratic Force, contested just 164 spots.

OneIndia News