Campaigning across the country has never been more vibrant, and local businesses have caught on the election hype and interest.
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“No. National reconciliation is the foundation of our democracy”, she said during more than an hour of questions. Many in Myanmar are drawn to Aung San Suu Kyi’s story as the daughter of the country’s founder Aung San, and see her as the rightful heir to his leadership.
But she added it was important for her party to run a government of “national reconciliation” if the NLD wins, adding: “I do not believe in persecution or revenge”. This will have a reverberating effect after the election, particularly if the NLD has to form a coalition and can not count on these erstwhile allies.
On Sunday, Suu Kyi, 70, received a rapturous welcome from tens of thousands as she closed out a two-month campaign to take power in a country emerging from an isolated half-century of military rule.
The author of several books on Myanmar including “Burma in Revolt: Opium and Insurgency Since 1948”, “Land of Jade: A Journey from India through Northern Burma to China”, “The Kachin: Lords of Burma’s Northern Frontier”, “Outrage: Burma’s Struggle for Democracy” etc, Lintner revealed that National Socialist Council of Nagaland leader SS Khaplang was not feeling well for a few time and hence a new leader (read Barua) should emerge to guide the newly floated United National Liberation Front of Western South East Asia.
That could lead to his becoming president – an ambition he has spoken of in the past – because of a law that bars citizens married to foreigners – Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was married to British historian Michael Aris until he died in 1999 – from the post.
“Whenever Aung San Suu Kyi and I meet, we always talk about working together for the stability and development of the country”, said Shwe Mann, who wore a blue checked shirt and traditional green “longyi” wrap.
“I have said I am going to be above the president”, she said. “I have already made plans”.
Asked how vigilant she was to the possibility of poll fraud she said, if suspicions are raised “we will have to make a fuss about it”. For anyone turning their attention to Myanmar for the first time at this historic moment, Richard Cockett’s new history, Dreams and Gold: The Changing Face of Burma, will be a useful and insightful guide in getting a grip on the issues that have led to this divisive point on the eve of this election. About 30 million people are eligible to vote, and 91 parties are contesting it.
The number of USDP politicians in parliament is expected to fall sharply, but even a small group could prove useful if Suu Kyi fails to muster the number needed to nominate a presidential candidate.
“We have a candidate that is ready to become the president…”
The reformist government, which was installed by the former military junta in 2011, has pledged free and fair elections, but that is looking less and less likely as complaints mount about flaws in the process.
While the ballot is significant for its promise of genuine democracy in Myanmar, there is increasing concern that Sunday’s election will not ease anti-Muslim rhetoric in the country.
The European Union will send 150 monitors to observe the elections and worldwide organisations will also send monitoring missions around the country.
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Suu Kyi urged the global community not to get ahead of itself and called for a “healthy dose of scepticism” towards the polls.
