Pulse on Suu Kyi

Myanmar holds elections

YANGON, Myanmar: Voting began yesterday in 19 by-elections in Myanmar, in the first test of the popularity of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy since it formed the government a year ago.

Nine of the contested seats are in the Lower House, three are in the Upper House and the rest are in state and regional assemblies in ethnic minority areas.

Some seats became vacant because the lawmakers were promoted to the Cabinet, some because of deaths and others were not filled in the 2015 general election after security concerns in the area forced the cancellation of voting.

The contests yesterday have not caused the same excitement or engagement as at the 2015 general election, and turnout is expected to be low.

The NLD’s campaign has lacked star appeal as election rules prohibit Suu Kyi herself from campaigning on its be- half. But many voters still came to the polls to perform their civic duty.

“Even though today is Saturday, it’s not a day off for me,” said San Win. “This is the time I go to work. But no matter what kind of difficulties I face, I take the time to come here to vote.”

The main opposition party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, is hoping that the Government’s perceived slow progress since taking power will work to their advantage at the ballot box.

The USDP is the militarybacked party that held power before Suu Kyi took office.

But even if there has been some disappointment in the slow pace of change under Suu Kyi’s government, her party remains the first choice among many voters.

The voting comes at a time of renewed hostilities between some ethnic guerrilla forces and the Myanmar army, especially in Shan state.