Myanmar voters welcome NLD win, but rein in expectations

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Voters welcome NLD win, but rein in expectations

National League for Democracy (NLD) party leader Aung San Suu Kyi arrives for Myanmar's first parliament meeting after the November 8 general elections, at the Lower House of Parliament in Naypyitaw Nov. 16, 2015. (PHOTO:- REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun)

By Myanmar Now

YANGON (Myanmar Now) - Days after Myanmar held its historic election on Nov. 8, touted as the first free and fair polls in 25 years, millions of Myanmar citizens woke up to the news that the hugely popular National League for Democracy (NLD), led by opposition leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, had won by a landslide.

In the run-up to the elections, Myanmar Now spoke to ordinary voters and found that in many neighbourhoods in Yangon, many have little knowledge of political parties beyond the NLD and the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). Many also told Myanmar Now they were planning to vote for the NLD.

With the results now announced, Myanmar Now spoke again to Yangon voters and asked what they thought of the elections and the NLD’s victory.

— Ei Phyo Khine, 23, printer/distributor of books, Kyauktada Township:

“I voted in the November 8 elections with a hope for change. As a young citizen, I’d like to see change and that’s my main reason for voting. I can’t say much about citizens’ rights. We will have to wait and see the extent to which NLD can implement its campaign promise. It’s not going to be easy to change everything but I think they would do their best.

“From a business point of view, it would be good to have more exposure to foreign firms. I think that would improve our printing industry. At the moment, most of the printing machines we have here are made in China. We could import better quality machines if we could make contact with other countries.

“Another is an issue with my citizen identity card. I have a card for when I turned 10 but I still have not been able to get a card after turning 18 even though I’ve applied for it for a long time. I hope such processes will be sped up and become easier.”

— Government worker, 53, San Chaung Township:

“I voted in San Chaung Township, where I am from. I’m happy because the majority of the people are happy. But I think it’s too early to say what we expect, or what we think because we haven’t seen them (the NLD) in action yet.”

— Hla Than, 53, daily worker at a publishing house in Kyauktada Township:

“Whoever wins the elections, whether it’s Daw Suu or anybody else, it would be best if the government could fulfil the needs of the people. I expected the NLD to win and they won. At the moment, they are not able to do anything yet, but it would be great if they could bring about changes to the citizens’ lives.”

— Aung Naing, 28, plumber, Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township:

“I don’t have high expectations for my vote. I did it as civic duty. We already have citizens’ rights so it’s nothing unusual for me. It may be that I don’t have an understanding of the wider issues. All I know is that every day, I will repair these water pumps and go home after I’ve finished my work. For now, I am on a daily wage.

“I’m OK with President Thein Sein’s government. I don’t know about others though. If the next government allows me to continue my work, I’m sure I’ll be OK with them too.”

— Nyan Min, 52, street vendor, Pazundaung Township:

“I’m satisfied that Daw Suu won. I voted for the NLD in the elections because I wanted the leader (Gen. Aung San) ’s daughter to win. But I’m not even sure whether I’ll live to see the changes since I’m getting old.”

(Editing by Paul Vrieze)

-- (c) Copyright Myanmar Now2015-11-18