Burmese Polls Close

Posted on Nov 7, 2010

news.bbc.co.uk

A billboard for candidates in the tightly controlled Burmese election.

The polls may have closed in Burma after the military junta-ruled country hosted its first elections in 20 years, but those waiting for significant change may have to wait a bit longer: The country’s main opposition party has boycotted the “democratic” contest.

As reported earlier on Truthdig, the military dictatorship apparently went to great lengths to ensure a victory for its side, including flooding the nation’s Internet infrastructure to shut it down. —JCL

The BBC:

Ruling generals say the polls mark a transition to democratic civilian rule but critics say they are a sham.

The National League for Democracy, the main opposition party led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, boycotted the vote.

Observers say voting proceeded calmly while opposition parties say it was manipulated.

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