“The people's suffering is mine!” That's a political slogan for Thu Wai, the chairman of the Democratic Party (Myanmar), which can be seen on a yellow billboard hanging on a light truck campaigning in various constituencies. Such a scene is unusual in Burma, and it officially marks the opening of the campaign season before the Nov. 7 election.
Recently, the activities of political parties has been increasingly seen on the streets and among the general public across the country.
The DPM has gained increasing attention in constituencies where it's fielding candidates due to the leadership of three daughters of Burma's former prime minister and ministers in the country's parliamentary democracy era.On Friday, the junta officially opened the election season by airing political party's policies, opinions and activities on state-owned radio, television and newspapers.
Thu Wai appeared on state TV to announce his party's election manifesto. For Thu Wai, it was his second chance to campaign in two decades, when he first participated in the 1990 election.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy, Than Than Nu, the general-secretary of the Democratic Party, said: “In the 1990 election, political parties had more freedom than they have now in announcing their policies in the state media.”
Observers say political parties' strategy should be to campaign at the grass roots level and to distribute campaign leaflets and slogans as widely as possible.
In an election environment dominated by the Union Solidarity Development Party, led by former generals and government ministers, another DPM campaign slogan says: “If the people want real democracy, they should vote for real politicians.”
Meanwhile Burmese prime minister warned citizens to protect the country's image during November elections and to prevent anyone from derailing the first polls in 20 years, state media reported Wednesday.
The Nov. 7 vote is a keystone of what the military-ruled country says is a transition to civilian rule after five decades under the army, although many see it as a means of prolonging its dominance.
"The success of the election is a matter of national dignity and concerns every citizen. Thus, it is necessary to prevent those who are trying to disrupt the election," Prime Minister Thein Sein was quoted saying in comments carried by Myanma Ahlin and the two other state-run newspapers.
State media often accuse "terrorists" or anti-government groups of plotting to disrupt the vote. It was first such warning from a senior official.
Thein Sein did not elaborate on any alleged threat, though the junta's biggest perceived threat is detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Her National League for Democracy opposition party is boycotting elections and Suu Kyi has said through a spokesman that dissatisfied voters have the right not to vote—stopping short of calling for a voter boycott.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner and governments around the world say that restrictive rules governing the elections show it will be unfair and undemocratic.
Thein Sein is the leader of the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party which was formed in April after he and 26 other Cabinet officials resigned their military posts to make them eligible to take part in politics.
The USDP is widely expected to win the most votes in the election because its ties with the junta give the party access to easy funding and a nationwide presence.
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