Press Release: ‘Binning the Election’

Press Release: ‘Binning the Election’

05 Nov 2010

Date: Friday 5 November 2010, 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM

Venue: Richmond Terrace, White Hall, LONDON SW1

The Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS – UK) in cooperation with the Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) holds a boycott 2010 Elections in Burma campaign under the banner ‘Binning the 2010 Elections’.

The campaign travels today outside the Prime Minister’s Office at Downing Street London, welcoming the UK government’s decision not to recognise the upcoming fake election and highlighting the Burmese people's aspiration for a real parliamentary democracy like the Westminster democracy. It also demonstrates a real consensus against the continuing "bonfire of oppression" in the country. It urges the UK government to continue to pressure the regime. It requests the UK government to take a lead in EU and UN in sending a stern message to the regime in Burma. It requests the Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss about Burma's situation with the China's President Hu Jintao during his meeting with him next week.

The launch of a series of weekly ‘Binning the 2010 Elections’ campaign began in a form of protest outside the Burmese Embassy in London on 8 October with each participant binning the voting paper titled ‘2010 Elections’ in the litter bin in silence or with a short speech - to symbolise their disapproval of the elections on 7 November. It will represent the opinion of thousands of Burmese people inside the country who will boycott the election. The ‘Binning 2010 Election’ travelled outside the Department for International Development (DFID) and European Union (EU) and European Commission (EC) office to highlight concerns of the Myanmar Egress, an entity which promotes the unfair election and the rubber stamp 2008 constitution.

Background: 7 November will see Burma having its first 'general elections' in 20 years. Unfortunately, this will be a sham election designed to legitimise the current military rulers. The consequence of this election for Burma will be the entrenchment of the ruling military elite that has presided over widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, rape and torture.

For more info:

Ko Myo Thein: 07877882386

Ko Aung: 07762094562

Zin Khine: 07904393457