YANGON, Myanmar, April 1, 2012 : Myanmar’s voters began
casting their ballots on Sunday in a free atmosphere to compete for the 45
vacant seats by lawmakers, a move that marked an important milestone in the
country’s transition to the path of democracy. But the people said they want
more than that which is social development.
More than 6 million voters from all walks of life were seen
lined up and casting their ballots one after another in Yangon to select 45
representatives for national and regional hluttaws (houses) from a pool of more
than 150 candidates.
The by-election is participated by all 17 political parties
including the country’s leading opposition party, National League for Democracy
(NLD) led by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, to compete for the 45 vacant seats
as a result of ministers and deputy ministers have taken up positions in the
government. Myanmar’s parliament has a total of 659 seats.
The by-election is different from both Myanmar’s elections
in 1990 and 2010, meaning that the April 1, 2012 by-election is not a
nationwide pool.
The head of ASEAN Chair observation delegation Chheang Vun,
after observing four polling sites, told reporters that “this by-election is so
meaningful for ASEAN.”
Cambodian MP Chheang Vun, who met and talked to Aung San
yesterday evening where she met her supporters outside of Yangon, quoted her as
saying that “the by-election process is good so far but it is too early to say
the whole process until it is over.”
“As ASEAN Chair we are pleased with what Aung San is saying
now,” said Chheang Vun, who is also the chairman of foreign affairs and
international cooperation and information commission of Cambodia’s National
Assembly.
“The by-election can provide a boost to peace process and
democracy in Myanmar,” said the ASEAN’s Chair observation delegation from
Cambodia.
In response to Cambodian journalist, Aung San Suu Kyi said “for
Myanmar as I have said along that it is another step moving forward to
democracy, but it is an opportunity for ASEAN countries to address a real
reform of Myanmar in the near future.”
“And, of course, any victory of the country is also the
victory of Myanmar’s people,” the Nobel Laureate told reporters.
NLD chair Aung San Suu Kyi added that the poverty
alleviation through job creations, and improving education standards, and
public health services are sitting on her party’s agendas.
The Myanmar Times reported that the National Assembly,
better known for local as Hluttaw, is ready to welcome the NLD and elected MPs should
encourage the NLD to “put aside personal or ideological differences for the
good of the country.”
Some analysts said it is too early to say that the
parliament will be better than before if the NLD will be in it, but it is sure
that there will be more interactive when NLD comes in.
A 67-year-old voter Ebrahim said it is the first ever that he
has chance to vote in 22 years, saying that the by-election is meaningful for
his people.
“We are going to vote with peace of mind. This is a good
election, but it is not enough, I want to see more jobs available,” he said.
“I hope more tourists and investments will come to my
country so that the local people will have more opportunities,” Ebrahim said.
Another 41-year-old woman Phya Pyar Naing said that this is
her second vote since last election in Nov. 7, 2010.
“Just democracy itself is not enough. We want better
education, health care, and other improving social sectors as well.”
Another 70-year-old housewife Dawsan Nwe said outside the
polling station that “this is a good chance to give my voice to which party I
support.”
“It is free voting here but I am not sure with other
places,” said Nwe.
An EU observer, who wishes not to be named, said that “we are
just watching it and we will analyze the whole election process at a later date.”
The one-day by-election vote is to close at 4 P.M local time
and followed by counting ballots and an official result would be expected
sometime.
(Reporting by Ek Tha is covering the by-election in Union of
Myanmar)