Today, 7 November is the first anniversary of Burma’s first national elections in 20 years, but many voters say the elections did not bring expected changes and were yet to fill the gaps of their needs, according to some voters interviewed by Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N).
SHAN asked some voters in Shan State that what they have achieved from the elections and what kind of changes they have seen in their areas, but most of them say they do not feel different compared to the pre-election days even though it has been a year.
Sai Kham (not real name), 30, a businessman from Shan State South’s Langkhurh township, says he had voted for the party that he considered represented the people of Shan State, Shan National Democratic Party (SNDP) better known as “White Tiger”, as the party said it would work for better transportation, education, healthcare and economy for them if it won the seats.
But he said he did not see much progress as expected. SNDP is the second largest winning party in Shan State.
“The improvement that I see so far is just less checkpoints and less corruption at some place, not all. And it is a bit easier to travel and trade. However, roads are still bad and commodity prices are still high,” Sai Kham said.
Sai Sai (not real name), from Shan State North, also shared the same opinion that he did not feel he has got something special from the elections because conflicts in ethnic areas are still ongoing and human rights abuses to people in rural areas are still just as bad, if not worse. Moreover, ethnic leaders are still imprisoned.
“I want people in rural areas to have better life. Children and youth must have access to free education. But government budget for education is still limited. Therefore I would say that I see no progress even though some people are saying some constructive changes are seen,” he said.
Sai Ai Pao, Chairman of the SNDP as well as Minister of Shan State Forestry and Mines admitted for the failure of improving better transportation.
“But there were some changes that we have made. For example, the number of reports about forced labor and land confiscations is less after we reported to the parliament,” he said. “And likewise there is free education for primary school level.”
However, many voters said they still have to pay for the school fees. According to voices from many people in the ethnic areas, the people want peace, reduction of taxes, and they want no extortion by the authorities and “no wars.”
