On a momentous day for democracy in the United Kingdom, I have found myself contemplating the difference between the freedoms we enjoy here in the UK and the process of democratisation that continues in Burma.
The political horseplay north of the border by both yes and no supporters, and the evident passions aroused by the whole independence question has given rise to an engagement in the political process that I am finding compelling.
97% of the electorate in Scotland have registered having faith in a voting system that, with a high turnout and a result too close to call, means that every vote counts.
97% of the electorate in Scotland have registered having faith in a voting system that, with a high turnout and a result too close to call, means that every vote counts.
Next year sees significant elections in Burma. How different must the electorate there regard their democratic process.
Of course one could assume the result to be a forgone conclusion. As the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi has both popularity and a nationwide profile on her side.
But she cannot stand, thanks to a military drafted clause in the constitution that prohibits her being the president, because her late husband and two children are foreigners.
A change in the constitution is required, but that is currently not possible as the military leadership have a veto over any such amendment. This is a live issue: the Burmese parliament session to resolve the issue opened on September 11th and will continue over the next few weeks, so we can expect it to be a hot topic during our visit next month.
But in a country where freedom of expression has been suppressed for so long I don't suppose we should expect to see a Princes Street style engagement between both parties in this constitutional reform debate.
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