Cambodia should resist feeling of euphoria over Myanmar election

[geovalin]

Robert Finch and Ou Virak

Opinion

With Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) on the verge of a decisive victory in last Sunday’s parliamentary elections, Myanmar is riding a tide of democratic euphoria.

Yet, while Myanmar will undoubtedly be better off with an NLD government, it is important not to be carried away. Myanmar has not become a democracy overnight just because it held relatively free and fair elections, nor will it become one anytime soon.

The military-drafted 2008 Constitution is the biggest stumbling block to genuine democracy. It reserves 25 per cent of parliamentary seats for the military, and a 75 per cent plus one vote is required to amend it.

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