The Burmese dictatorship’s elections on 7 November 2010 were condemned around the world as an attempt to entrench and legitimize military rule. The election was part of the regime’s much criticized “road-map to democracy”, which contains a number of undemocratic measures including the military having an effective veto over decisions made by the new Parliament and government.
Burma’s fake elections, held on 7 November 2010, were part of the dictatorship’s much-criticised “road-map to democracy” that has been condemned around the world as an attempt to entrench and legitimize military rule.
The entire process was a sham. The elections brought in a new constitution, which contains many undemocratic measures including the military having an effective veto over decisions made by the new Parliament and government. It was designed to keep the dictatorship in power and has not brought any new freedom to Burma’s people.
For more information: Download our briefing on elections here [PDF file].
Statements
Below are statements from foreign governments and non governmental organization regarding the 2010 election.
- European Parliament resolution 11 February 2010 (PDF format)
- Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg states “These elections will be little more than a sham to perpetuate military rule.”
- UK Government – Burma’s 2010 Election Will Entrench Military Rule (20 Jan 2009)
- Australian Senate calls for government not to endorse Burma’s 2010 elections (PDF Format)
- Council of the European Union conclusions regarding 2010: “The European Union points out that the elections scheduled for 2010 will have no credibility unless the Burma/Myanmar authorities unconditionally release all political prisoners” 10 November 2008. (PDF Format)
Below are statements from the Burmese democracy movement about the 2010 election.
- Karen National Union (KNU) statement on the 2010 Election. April 26th 2009. (PDF Format)
- National Democratic Front unanimously decided to counter the election to be held in 2010. April 9, 2009 (PDF Format)
- Burma’s Democratic and Ethnic Forces “Vow to Oppose the 2010 Election Collectively’. April 6th 2009. (PDF Format)
- 5th Ethnic Nationalities Conference Statement August 26-28 2008. Burmese (PDF Format) English(PDF Format)
- AIPMC Statement on Burma’s election laws (PDF Format)
- United Nationalities Alliance (UNA), letter to The United Nations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (PDF Format)
- NLD Chair U Aung Shwe sends a letter to Senior General Than Shwe – Burmese (PDF Format)
- NLD Chair U Aung Shwe sends a letter to Senior General Than Shwe – English & Burmese (PDF Format)
- Open letter to UN Security Council Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon from All Burma Monks’ Alliance, the 88 Generation Students and All Burma Federation of Student Unions (PDF Format)
- NLD Statement – Burmese (PDF Format)
- NLD Statement – English (PDF Format)