In a speech delivered this week, Burma’s military leader Than Shwe confirmed that the country would hold its first elections in two decades this year but warned voters to make the “correct choices” when they go to the polls.

The long-awaited election would be Burma’s first since 1990, when the main opposition party, led by the democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, won by a landslide. The junta ignored the result.

Only junta knows
In a message to mark the anniversary of Burma’s independence from Britain in 1948, General Than Shwe said his seven-stage road map was the sole process in the country’s transition to democracy.

“Plans are under way to hold elections in a systematic way this year,” he said in the address, read out on television by a senior junta official. “In that regard, the entire people have to make correct choices.”

“At the start of the election year neither the election law nor date is made public, which means that it is only the junta who knows how to prepare for the election,” – outlined Inger Lise Husøy, left, of Norwegian Burma Committee for www.humanrightshouse.org.

No signs of improvement
According to Husøy, there have been many changes in the state apparatus and among military leaders that will run for election.

“The question for the democracy movement is whether there is a purpose to run for election, if it is allowed, so that the voters can choose to vote for other parties than the junta’s people. Many of the ethnic groups are also pushed in a corner and have to decide between accepting the election or enter civil war,” – she said.

Husøy believes there are no signs suggesting that the election will open for democratic reforms or solve Burma’s political problems.

Under the constitution, the military will have 25 per cent of the seats in the Parliament and a majority of more than 75 per cent is needed to change the constitution. “Hence, the military will still be in control”, said she.

Neocolonialists
The 76-year-old general also warned people to “remain vigilant at all times against dangers posed by neocolonialists”.

“Neocolonists are human rights activists and other countries’ governments that support the people’s fight for freedom and democracy in Burma. The junta is under pressure, from the US among others, but I doubt that it will give results,” – said Husøy, and explained why:

“There are too many powerful people in Burma who gain on corruption and dictatorship and they are all afraid of being held responsible for their actions.”

Crushing opposition
“The only thing that is certain about the election in Burma is that the military junta still will hold the power after the election,” – argues the Director of Burma Committee.

Still, she believes “even though the surveillance of the population is more aggressive, everything can happen, since there is an economic, social and humanitarian crisis in the country. The military will try to crush all opposition in the period up to election with arrests, threats and violence, and the election result will be controlled by the junta.”

26 year old Hla Hla Win, who worked for the Burma radio and TV station Democratic Voice of Burma, is the most recent example of junta’s repressions: she has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for unlawful use of video equipment.