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Burma’s political change has opened up a new chance to campaign for opposition party the National League of Democracy. The NLD boycotted the 2010 election – but now it’s ready for the by-elect next month.
Traditionally only family dynasties who have been involved in politics for generations usually stand for election .
But now Burma has a whole new generation of politicians doing it for themselves.
Nay Thwin has this report.
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has long been a symbol of Burmese freedom.
As the daughter of Burma’s independence hero, Suu Kyi also represents a political dynasty.
She’s back on the political trail after years under house arrest, with her party the National League of Democracy joining next month’s by-election.
In the capital Rangoon, she’s introducing one of her party’s candidates, Daw Suu Suu Lwin.
“Daw Suu Suu Lwin’s late father U Lwin was a patriotic soldier who fought for our independence. At that time my father and he were still very young. He was a man of dignity, royalty and devoted his life to our country. And U Lwin was one of NLD’s executive committee members from when the party was formed. He won this constituency in the 1990 elections -- so people who voted for him in 1990, can vote his daughter this time.”
But it’s not only political dynasties on the stage.
Zayar Thaw is a young hip-hop star in Burma.
He was the founder of the underground young activists’ group Generation Wave.
Under the military junta’s rule, he was jailed for four years – and was only released again on May last year.
He is now a new member of Suu Kyi’s NLD.
“Everyday life is full of challenges. I do not feel that contesting in this constituency is a great challenge though. The military officers and civil servants dominate this constituency, but they must have the same feelings, attitudes and hopes, just like other ordinary people living in this area. This election is the first step to democracy. If I were in the parliament, I could propose new laws and amend old laws for the sake of our people. I’m standing by the people and I will be with the people as ever, whether I win this election or not.”
Thaw is contesting in Pobba Thiri, a suburb in the country’s capital.
In the 2010 election, the suburb saw a landslide victory of a military-backed candidate, Tin Aung Myint Oo, from the United Solidarity and Development party.
He is now the vice president after his party claimed victory in that election.
This coming election will also be the first for Phyu Phyu Thin as political candidate from the NLD.
She’s a prominent HIV/AIDS activist, operating a clinic for patients on the outskirts of Rangoon.
She will run for a seat in the city.
“I will try my best to solve all the difficulties and sufferings of the people. At the moment, I don’t want to make promises like others, saying that I will be building new bridges and roads or something like that. I’m not going to pay that kind of lip service or persuade voters with bribes.”
In 2007, she was arrested for organising a prayer rally to call for the release of NLD’s Suu Kyi. She was freed two years later.
That same year she was awarded an award for promoting human rights by a Czech rights organisation.
“I stand as a candidate for this constituency; it means I want to share all your sufferings and struggles; in other words, to serve all of you here. In the parliament, first of all, I will to fight for rule of law, and secondly for peace in our country, and thirdly to amendment or abolish some clauses in the constitution which do not benefit our people."
NLD spokesman U Nyan Win says the young generation is one of the party's top priorities.
”We have some basic principles: the youth, ethnic minorities, and women are favored when we choose candidates. And I think in the 1990 election, even though it was just after the 1988 uprising, the interests of young people in politics were comparatively low. Nowadays the young generation is more progressive and has more knowledge about politics. Half of our party membership is now young. They are totally new faces for NLD. We will continue to encourage young people and give them positions because a party needs to be always young with new blood.”
Compared to other political parties, NLD has the biggest number of young politicians running for next month’s by-election.
On a recent trip to the war-torn Kachin state in North Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi says this is a new trend in Burma politics.
“Having kids with democratic spirit is a good thing for the country’s future. A young democratic spirit during childhood will develop into a concrete democratic beliefs and actions, and our country will progress and be prosperous. Young supporters encourage me a lot. They should nurture the habit of an independent mind. You have to do things by yourself, not rely on others.”
Near the military zone in the capital, local residents are singing and dancing.
They’re praising Suu Kyi and her party National League of Democracy NLD.
The party, and the whole country, is now putting hopes on the youth.
