Defeat designs

Martial law blocks the progress of democracy.

Myanmar’s draft constitution cements the military’s role in the country’s power structure. It guarantees military officers a quarter of the seats in the upper and lower houses of parliament, as well as at the state and regional levels. It legitimises the takeover and exercise of all state power by the commander-in-chief of the armed forces in the event of a threat to the union, to national solidarity or sovereignty.

The constitution’s blatant attempt at consolidating and legitimising the military’s role in politics is not surprising.

The military rule for over four decades now is unwilling to cede power to democratic rule. The generals have always undermined democratic forces. The constitution was drafted by the generals, without inputs from opposition parties. A constitution that provided for real democracy in Myanmar was therefore not to be expected.
The draft constitution is an unabashed attempt at keeping out the one person the military fears the most – pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi. The constitution bars anyone who has been married to a foreign national from holding political office. Suu Kyi was married to a British national. The constitution therefore disqualifies her from holding political office. Earlier this year, the junta promised elections in 2010. The draft constitution indicates that the election will not result in democracy in Myanmar.

The draft constitution will have to be endorsed in a national referendum. By subjecting the constitution to a referendum, the junta has sought to project an image of consulting the people but few expect the referendum to be free or fair. The odds are stacked against the pro-democracy movement. Many in the country are likely to feel that participating in a referendum will lead nowhere, given the junta’s poor record in heeding the people’s mandate or wishes.

While feeling pessimistic about the junta is understandable, the people of Myanmar cannot give up now. Voting “no” in the referendum is their last chance to defeat the junta’s designs. Amending the constitution at a later date will be very difficult because under the new rules it will require a three-fourths majority to amend the document. It is imperative therefore that activists campaign vigorously among the people to persuade them to participate in the referendum and reject the constitution.

Deccan Herald