Burma is booming, democracy remains fake

yangon - For decades it was hermetically sealed off from the outside world, but the former Burma has opened the doors in recent years put wide open. Throngs of tourists, including many Dutch, and also flow businesses to the Southeast Asian country. The powerful army deployed all tentative steps on the path of democracy, was rewarded last year with a visit by US President Obama, but remains firmly seated on the plush.

Sunday the inhabitants may- at least a good part of it- to the polls for parliamentary elections in what is now called Myanmar. But fair elections? Forget it, says Human Rights Watch (HRW) Wednesday. " Elections can not be called fair if 25 percent of the seats will go to the army and the party that supports it before but a single vote was cast ", said Asia director Brad Adams, HRW. " The other political parties have no choice but to participate. " Systematic Problems and structural problems characterize democracy "Myanmar-style '. An independent electoral commission fails, the ruling military party dominates the media, a quarter of the seats goes in advance to the army, many voters it is made difficult by discrimination register and in parts of the country have large groups not vote.                                                                                                                Supporters of incumbent President Thein Sein carry his portrait along during a meeting in Myaungmya.                         Photo: REUTERS                                          Internationally recognized elements of free and fair election are missing in Myanmar. There is no freedom of expression, assembly or association, no freedom of movement. Voters and candidates are confronted with violence, threats and intimidation, and voting is not secret. Foregone conclusion against this background, the National League for Democracy (NLD) of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's against the Party of Union Solidarity and Development (USDP) of incumbent President and 'oud' General Thein Sein. The result seems a foregone conclusion. If the NLD coming to power, the more than two-thirds of the non-military locations must be within trails Sunday at stake. Army Party USDP took just a little over a third of the seats.

An NLD supporter with the portraits of Aung San Suu Kyi and her father.                         

Photo: EPA                                          

The results of the elections will not change much. The army continues to keep in control and Aung San Suu Kyi can not be president according to the constitution. To change that constitution is a necessary majority of at least three-quarters of the delegates. The tourism industry rooting mean that voting proceeds smoothly and that the democratic process continues. A combination of the two is good for the reputation of the country and the influx of tourists. This year the country expects a total of 4.5 million foreign visitors, compared to 3 million last year.