At last, democracy wins in Myanmar

The landslide victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) will be celebrated not just by the people of Myanmar but also, democrats across the world. The NLD is on course to win over 90 per cent of the seats contested for the lower house of the Myanmar parliament. It is doing well in races to seats in the upper house and regional assemblies as well. The ruling military-backed Union Solidarity Development Party has been routed, winning just 5 per cent of the seats so far. The NLD’s strong showing is not surprising. The party, which is headed by the very popular Aung San Suu Kyi, has a huge following and led the country’s fight against the military junta for almost three decades. What is astonishing, however, is the response of Myanmar’s military leaders to the NLD’s victory. Memories of the military’s reprehensible response to the NLD’s victory in the 1990 election remain vivid. Back then, it refused to heed the mandate and clung to power in the decades that followed. Even in the 2011 ‘democratic’ election, it ensured that its grip over power remained firm. Given this history, its acceptance of the people’s mandate is surprising. 

However, it may be too soon to celebrate. Although President Thein Sein has congratulated the NLD, official announcement of the results are awaited. Will the military pop Myanmar a shock by reversing verdicts? There are several hardliners in the military who may not be willing to part with political power. They could indulge in a power-grab. An overturning of the mandate by the military is still possible.The NLD has won the electoral battle but the war for democracy still remains. Even if the military does not veto the NLD’s election victory and allows it to form the government, its influence in parliament remains significant; 25 per cent of seats in parliament are reserved for the military. Amending the constitution is a priority of the NLD. Even if it has the necessary numbers, it should work towards a consensus by involving the military in the constitution-writing process. Reconciliation is important for democracy to survive in Myanmar. The NLD must reach out to the ethnic and religious minorities. Its anti-Rohingya position does not befit a party that was at the forefront of Myanmar’s struggle for human rights and inclusion. Hundreds of thousands of Muslim Rohingyas have been denied citizenship although they have lived in Myanmar for generations. They were not allowed to vote. Myanmar’s democracy will remain hollow so long as they are denied citizenship and equal rights.