A Regime's Referendum without Democratic Reference:
Unacceptable Regime's Referendum
By Zai Dai (Kachin)
The innocent citizens of Burma have been
taken in yet again by a farcical nation
wide referendum, which was held on May 10 and May 24. Just like the people of Venezuela had brought about the Green Revolution after being oppressed by despots, so also is the struggle for democratic transformation is happening in Burma (Myanmar).
The regime’s “roadmap to democracy”, sketched with the help of its sympathizers since the time of the former Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyut, preplans enterprise regardless of the continuing social-political instability in the country. From the very beginning, the regime’s formation of a so-called democratic pattern has been formulated without democratic principle. They neglected the rights and freedom of the people, who were supposed to have fully participated in the National Convention to draft the National
onstitution, for political stability of Burma as a whole. The regime conducted the Constitutional Referendum for the approval of the draft of the national constitution to legitimize the regime’s power. It was an uncivilized referendum, without democratic reference, placing the people under the dictator’s boots and the barrel of a gun. The voters were not to actually able exercise their rights freely in the referendum, and were forced to vote ‘Yes’ in the ballots across the country.
In fact, it is obvious that the regime of aristocrats have been paving the way to heaven only for themselves, to revitalize feudal bureaucracy once again in Burma. It is seen that five lakhs of military personnel are being exploited in the power building of the regime’s generals, instead of fighting to protect this country.
The soldiers are not amply subsidized so that each soldier and his/her family are supported. Furthermore, in this situation the regime rudely ordered its troops to give the “right tick” (“Yes” vote), not at one’s own will, but as it was the will of the regime. It had been publicly announced by the Referendum Commission that it is an order of the regime that all troops tick “Right” without failure. This is how voting has come not from freedom of will, but as a regime’s order to military personnel
In the capital Myitkyina, Kachin State the government employees had been under threat to vote “Yes” in referendum as well. School teachers, government servants, teacher trainees, nursing trainees were forced to do the same. All those who put cross marks (“No” vote) could have been expelled or dismissed. For this reason, just for the sake of security, they were compelled to render tick right in the referendum. Yet, almost all medical doctors have boldly crossed the ballots (voted “No”), exercising freedom of thought.
"...the regime of aristocrats have been paving the way to heaven only for themselves, to revitalize feudal bureaucracy once again in Burma."
History will pay back those sympathizers, the peace talkers, leaders of ceasefire groups, business firms collaborating with the junta, for what they have been doing for the sake of their selfish business, rather standing by the side of truth. In the realm of Christianity in Kachin Land there are two big church organizations, namely Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) and Kachin Roman Catholic Church in Kachin state. The believers of Christianity in Kachin believe it is ordained to establish the Kingdom of God by biblical word on earth as Jesus taught. With such a mission in the hearts of members, most looked to religious leaders to take a Christian stand and role in the referendum, yet oddly, there was no further direction or help from the KBC in the referendum. It is obvious then, that at present, Christian leaders are stagnant in taking active leadership in social transformation, and not acting as it is ordained that they should. This lack of leadership leads to evil for all the believers, who have been tricked by the regime’s plot, and fearful of the mounting of pressure by the state. Yet there have been faithful Christians who are persistent and perseverant in the midst of hardship and discrimination, in leading Christian lives and speaking up to unveil the truth, even under a dictatorship.
Another issue that the Kachins regret is the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and its armed wing Kachin Independence Army (KIA). KIO/A’s full support in the referendum, by hosting it and ticking right on ballots at Laiza, (KIO/A Headquarters) on May 10, 2008 by the order of Central Standing Committee (CSC). It is concluded that KIO/A has resolved its own problem of insecurity and danger by their own means, instead of leading, protecting, and standing by the people of Kachin Land, and the citizens of the country. By this, it is obvious that KIO/A is declaring worldwide that it denies the democratic principled politics of the Kachins and Kachin State citizens, except in playing social security politics. Only its top-most leaders, including peace makers and a handful of bilateral business groups are reflected in its deed and decision.
We know this referendum was declared to be supported because of advance voting. If the ballots of the voters on that day were scrutinized under transparent commissions, surely the cross tick ballots (“No”) would surpass the “Yes” votes. So, the military junta (or the so called State Peace and Development Council) officers at every level were enforced to rearrange all ballot votes within 12 hours after voting started it was over everywhere.
In the 1990 election vote in Kachin State, Kachin State National Congress for Democracy (KNCD) party, (barred by the regime), won three seats and has really stood for the Kachins and Kachin State citizens. The KNCD with Duwa Bawm Lang as a public leader, once again are revitalizing its service by providing the long-leaderless, pro-democratic Kachins and Kachin State citizens with awareness and the fundamental principles for democracy. The KNCD has been playing its role as an action group, standing up before the Kachins and Kachin State citizens for a smooth, democratic transition in Burma.
In fact, right ticked ballots have been defeated in many areas (for instance in Waingmaw district, Njang Dung village in Myitkyina) though under attack, because pro-democratic civilians have voted “No”, not just because of the desire to exercise one’s freedom of right, but also in the fight for the truth. Even in this context of threats and pressures, pro-democratic Kachins and Kachin State citizen have voted “No”!
By this referendum Kachins have declared themselves to enter the war of democracy, where the judge will be always the truth.Their half-century long armed history has taught them that the public are the only ones responsible for democratic change. The political wings, as well as the armed groups are playing their roles in armed politics, yet there will be no help from those with power until and unless pro-democratic citizens themselves labour towards the goal of freedom they dream for.
In the military referendum, I should say the regime won. Yet in a public referendum the citizens won, as rationalized above. Therefore this referendum is a referendum without democratic principles, where a pseudo-democratic regime announced a landslide victory for its own longevity and security. Yet the spirit of one’s ballot, which can represent oneself or one’s state, as a fight against an unjust and undemocratic centralized bureaucracy, will ultimately lead us to victory by democratic means. But this means more than just voting for democracy (since no one can issue you democracy) you must live for it. Thus, though the regime conducted referendum was allegedly supported by more than 92.4 per cent voters, in truth the regime was shamefully defeated in the recent referendum on the basis of democratic reference.
To read the other articles in the June 2008 Newsletter please click on the links below:
