MYANMAR – UNITED NATIONS Ban Ki moon calls on Burmese regime to guarantee credible elections

Yangon – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged the Government of Myanmar to create the conditions for credible elections. Speaking on Friday after a meeting of a group of nations established to back the UN’s efforts to promote democracy in Myanmar; he said the military junta’s effort to make the upcoming election inclusive, free and fair is “frustrating” and “disappointing”. The group of 15 nations wants the military regime to free all 2,100 political prisoners, especially opposition leader and Nobel Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. However, recent legislation prevents her from taking part in the electoral process as a candidate as well as a voter. The group, known as the Friends of Burma, called for inclusive, participatory and transparent elections. However, it is increasingly aware that the election will not be free and fair. Mr Ban said he told Myanmar’s military government that without full participation of political prisoners, especially Ms Suu Kyi, the election might not be regarded as credible. He admitted that he was frustrated and disappointed at the scant progress achieved from the UN’s engagement with the generals who run the country. Unfortunately, the Security Council is split on whether Myanmar’s election should even be on its agenda. The United Kingdom has led the push for strong UN involvement, but China has argued that it is an internal matter.

Ref: Aisa News (speroforum)