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| Aung San Suu Kyi in monitoring appeal as Myanmar election campaign begins | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Campaigning for Myanmar’s general election began on Tuesday with Aung San Suu Kyi saying the world must scrutinise the November poll and ensure the results are respected. | Campaigning for Myanmar’s general election began on Tuesday with Aung San Suu Kyi saying the world must scrutinise the November poll and ensure the results are respected. |
| “A smooth and tranquil transition is almost more important than a free and fair election,” Sshe said in a video address posted on her Facebook page. | “A smooth and tranquil transition is almost more important than a free and fair election,” Sshe said in a video address posted on her Facebook page. |
| Her National League for Democracy (NLD), which has been campaigning since 1988 for an end to military rule, is widely expected to win. The party has bitter memories, however, of its landslide victory in the 1990 general elections, which was ignored by the junta. | Her National League for Democracy (NLD), which has been campaigning since 1988 for an end to military rule, is widely expected to win. The party has bitter memories, however, of its landslide victory in the 1990 general elections, which was ignored by the junta. |
| The NLD boycotted the next nationwide poll in 2010, which international observers also condemned for widespread irregularities. | The NLD boycotted the next nationwide poll in 2010, which international observers also condemned for widespread irregularities. |
| “The general elections that will be taking place on 8 November in Burma will be a crucial turning point for our country. For the first time in decades, our people will have a real chance of bringing about real change,” Aung San Suu Kyi said. | “The general elections that will be taking place on 8 November in Burma will be a crucial turning point for our country. For the first time in decades, our people will have a real chance of bringing about real change,” Aung San Suu Kyi said. |
| “This is a chance that we cannot afford to let slip. We hope that the whole world understands how important it is for us to have free and fair elections, and to make sure that the results of such elections are respected by all concerned. | “This is a chance that we cannot afford to let slip. We hope that the whole world understands how important it is for us to have free and fair elections, and to make sure that the results of such elections are respected by all concerned. |
| “Please help us by observing what happens before the elections, during the elections, and, crucially, after the elections.” | “Please help us by observing what happens before the elections, during the elections, and, crucially, after the elections.” |
| Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, emerged from international pariah status when a semi-civilian government took power four years ago after nearly half a century of military rule. | Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, emerged from international pariah status when a semi-civilian government took power four years ago after nearly half a century of military rule. |
| President Thein Sein, a former general, pushed through reforms that led to the dropping of western sanctions, and Barack Obama has visited the country twice in a clear display of approval. | President Thein Sein, a former general, pushed through reforms that led to the dropping of western sanctions, and Barack Obama has visited the country twice in a clear display of approval. |
| The NLD and activists, however, say that many of the reforms have merely opened up the economy. The streets of the capital, Yangon, are filled with foreign cars driven by a growing middle class who own iPhones. KFC opened in June, the first major western fast-food chain to establish a presence in Myanmar. | The NLD and activists, however, say that many of the reforms have merely opened up the economy. The streets of the capital, Yangon, are filled with foreign cars driven by a growing middle class who own iPhones. KFC opened in June, the first major western fast-food chain to establish a presence in Myanmar. |
| Related: The Guardian view on the ousting of Aung San Suu Kyi’s political ally | Editorial | Related: The Guardian view on the ousting of Aung San Suu Kyi’s political ally | Editorial |
| Political prisoners remain in jail, the media is strictly controlled and inequality is entrenched. | Political prisoners remain in jail, the media is strictly controlled and inequality is entrenched. |
| The plea from Aung San Suu Kyi on the first day of her campaign comes in the wake of the surprise purge last month of Shwe Mann, the speaker of the lower house of parliament and former chair of the ruling party. | The plea from Aung San Suu Kyi on the first day of her campaign comes in the wake of the surprise purge last month of Shwe Mann, the speaker of the lower house of parliament and former chair of the ruling party. |
| He was considered a bridging figure between the democracy movement and the junta – a rare member of the establishment who was also an ally to the Lady, as Aung San Suu Kyi is known locally. | He was considered a bridging figure between the democracy movement and the junta – a rare member of the establishment who was also an ally to the Lady, as Aung San Suu Kyi is known locally. |
| This meant he posed a distinct threat to the generals, who have historically been paranoid of her domestic and international popularity and have tried to keep her at arms’ length and away from politics. | This meant he posed a distinct threat to the generals, who have historically been paranoid of her domestic and international popularity and have tried to keep her at arms’ length and away from politics. |
| Shwe Mann’s swift removal will be seen as a reminder to the democracy movement that the army is willing to take measures to ensure its dominance and may do so following an NLD win. The party won 43 of 44 seats it contested in 2012 byelections. | Shwe Mann’s swift removal will be seen as a reminder to the democracy movement that the army is willing to take measures to ensure its dominance and may do so following an NLD win. The party won 43 of 44 seats it contested in 2012 byelections. |
| The ruling Union Solidarity and Development party is effectively a political extension of the military, and Aung San Suu Kyi’s request for the world to keep its eye on the country after the elections hints at concerns over the process of choosing the next president. | The ruling Union Solidarity and Development party is effectively a political extension of the military, and Aung San Suu Kyi’s request for the world to keep its eye on the country after the elections hints at concerns over the process of choosing the next president. |
| The general election is for seats in both houses of parliament for five-year terms. About 30 million people are eligible to vote, and 90 parties are contesting it. The military is guaranteed a quarter of the seats under the constitution it drafted. | The general election is for seats in both houses of parliament for five-year terms. About 30 million people are eligible to vote, and 90 parties are contesting it. The military is guaranteed a quarter of the seats under the constitution it drafted. |
| A leader will not be chosen until three months later after elected MPs have nominated two candidates. MPs appointed by the military nominate a third candidate, and then a parliamentary vote is held to determine who becomes president. | A leader will not be chosen until three months later after elected MPs have nominated two candidates. MPs appointed by the military nominate a third candidate, and then a parliamentary vote is held to determine who becomes president. |
| An International Crisis Group report said the three months between the election and the appointment of the president “will be a time of considerable uncertainty, possible tension, and intense behind-the-scenes negotiation”. | An International Crisis Group report said the three months between the election and the appointment of the president “will be a time of considerable uncertainty, possible tension, and intense behind-the-scenes negotiation”. |
| “The commander-in-chief has voiced support for the democratic electoral process and has undoubtedly foreseen the prospect of strong support for the NLD. But this does not mean he would be comfortable with all the potential implications of such an outcome,” it said, in reference to the highly influential Gen Min Aung Hlaing. | “The commander-in-chief has voiced support for the democratic electoral process and has undoubtedly foreseen the prospect of strong support for the NLD. But this does not mean he would be comfortable with all the potential implications of such an outcome,” it said, in reference to the highly influential Gen Min Aung Hlaing. |
| Aung San Suu Kyi is barred from running for president because of a constitutional provision that excludes those with foreign children from the office. Her late husband was British and she has two British sons. | Aung San Suu Kyi is barred from running for president because of a constitutional provision that excludes those with foreign children from the office. Her late husband was British and she has two British sons. |
| Aung San Suu Kyi was brought up in India and studied at Oxford University. Between 1989 and 2010, she spent 15 years under house arrest in Myanmar, and was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 1991. | Aung San Suu Kyi was brought up in India and studied at Oxford University. Between 1989 and 2010, she spent 15 years under house arrest in Myanmar, and was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 1991. |
| Had her father not been a national hero have brought about Myanmar’s independence, she may have found her jailed like other pro-democracy activists. | Had her father not been a national hero have brought about Myanmar’s independence, she may have found her jailed like other pro-democracy activists. |
| She will spend the next two months campaigning across the country, mirroring the trips she made in 1989 during the nascent days of the democracy movement before the NLD was shut down. | She will spend the next two months campaigning across the country, mirroring the trips she made in 1989 during the nascent days of the democracy movement before the NLD was shut down. |
| Myanmar’s electoral commission further dampened hope of reform last month, when it said political parties and candidates were forbidden from criticising the military during their allocated 15-minute speeches on state media. | Myanmar’s electoral commission further dampened hope of reform last month, when it said political parties and candidates were forbidden from criticising the military during their allocated 15-minute speeches on state media. |