1st February 2021 Monday: The Burmese army declared a state emergency after arresting and detaining senior elected government officials including several leaders of NDL (National League for Democracy) including Suu Kyi under the charges of alleged manipulation of voters list during the general elections conducted in November 2020. The fact that the emergency was declared only a few days before the opening session of the newly elected NDL government might be a bit doubtful.
Who is Suu Kyi? What was the NDL fighting for?
Ms. Suu Kyi is the leader of NDL who came into power winning over 80% of available seats in the general elections. She came into power after 5 years; these years were filled with several house arrests, imprisonment, civil & criminal charges, etc. Ms. Suu Kyi has been under the spotlight lately for her struggle to free Myanmar from the military dictatorship and make it a growing democracy. She has been a strong opposition to the Burmese army, criticizing it over issues such as the Rohingya refugees. The NDL stands as a huge wall in front of the military and its power to rule Burma.
What claims are made by the Burmese army? Is the state emergency constitutional?
A video address broadcast on military-owned television said power had been handed to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
The statement read out on Myawaddy Television:
“The voter lists which were used during the multi-party general election which was held on the 8th of November were found to have huge discrepancies and the Union Election Commission failed to settle this matter. Although the sovereignty of the nation must derive from the people, there was terrible fraud in the voter list during the democratic general election which runs contrary to ensuring a stable democracy. Due to such acts, there have been a lot of protests going on in townships and cities in Myanmar to demonstrate their mistrust toward UEC. Other parties and people have also been found conducting different kinds of provocations including displaying flags that are very damaging to national security.”
The military - as the maker of Myanmar's 2008 Constitution and fledgling democracy, sees itself as the guardian of national unity and the Constitution. The army requested to postpone the sessions of both the Upper and Lower house until and unless the issue is solved. The military promises the citizens a fair and unbiased election in 2022 after the state emergency is over.
Till then, in accordance with the 2008 constitution article 418, sub-article (a) which states the commander-in-chief can take power only in extreme circumstances that could cause "the disintegration of the union, the disintegration of national solidarity and loss of sovereign power,” but only during a state of emergency, which the civilian president can only declare.
What was the reaction from the leaders of NDL and the international community?
Ms. Suu Kyi has not commented on her party's election victory, nor the military's claims of fraud elections, but the NLD said the military's allegations were groundless and any election flaws would not have affected the elected majority of NDL.
The election commission on 4th February 2021 said there were no errors on a scale that could mean fraud or the election being discredited.
US President Joe Biden raised the threat of new sanctions, with the UN and UK also condemning the coup and terming it as ‘ the unlawful Death of democracy’.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called the army's move a "serious blow to democratic reforms", as the security council prepared for an emergency meeting
Will the 5.4 Cr citizens of Burma get a fairly elected government or would the country continue with its military dictatorship? Do let us know your views.
By: Pratham R Dharu
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