A meeting with PPP's chairperson Dr.Thet Thet Khine

A meeting with PPP's chairperson Dr.Thet Thet Khine
Published 15 October 2020
Pyae Phyo Aung

"The meaning of saying that the election is more important is that power and to keep a hold on it is more important. That is why we want the election to be moved. If they really wanted to, the UEC can do so in a heartbeat."

The following are questions and answers from an interview with People's Pioneer Party (PPP) chairperson Dr.Thet Thet Khine on the difficulties experienced while having to campaign during the COVID-19 Stay-at-home period in Yangon.

Q. How are the election campaigining going amidst the Stay-at-home restrictions due to COVID-19?

A. First off, this is the first election we have entered in as a new party. So we ran headfirst into COVID-19 and the problems are experienced not only by our party. All parties had to stop plans for field campaigning. So what we can and have done is that we have put up billboards but since the people aren't going about, they will not see the billboards. We also went around with a vehicle convoy and that had nothing to do with COVID-19 restrictions but we also stopped doing that. We have to meet with each household and introdouce our party and its candidates. We have to take to field to connect with the people. We cannot do all that. What we can do now is to inform the people on the things they should know and to introduce our candidates through the social media platforms. We also hold discussions and present our policies. That's about all we can do. Of course, we also present ourselves through professional, branded medias. It is now looking as if we will have to compete without doing anything at all.

Q. There are criticisms that while new parties are facing difficulties, the party in power is gaining unfair opportunities and advantages. What is your opinion on that?

A. Those in power, whichever party it is, will always have advantages. The first thing is that they manage the people's funds. They can conduct processes that the people like with those funds. For example, they have been distributing rations such as rice, onion, oil, etc. due to the COVID situation since around the Thingyan period. It was followed up with cash transfer of around 20,000 MMK per home and they are promising more. Now, it is like they are targetting civil servants in Nay Pyi Taw. There are civil servants everywhere across the country but they made it so that they could withdraw two months worth their salary with a due date of six months. After that they also allowed car permits for senior staff so near to the election can be construed as campaigning. So the ruling party has those advantages on top of the restrictions placed for COVID as well as uncooperative municipality and so on....

Q.Can 2020 election be a free and fair election? We would like your input on this matter.

A.It is not a little diffcult for it to be free and fair but hugely challenging. For it to be free and fair, No.1 thing is for the voter list to be correct. No.2 is that connection and meets with people must happen. No.3 is that parties are not allowed to campaign under lockdown, under the COVID-19 banner. So why isn't the election moved to November 8th? It is questionable. When the election happens, no.1 thing that will happen is that it will form crowds. No.2 thing is that the process of issuing tokens, collecting pen, casting votes in the booths and such will mean that everyone will be touching the same things. And at night, they will touch the votes to count them. There will be people required to keep watch incase of dangers like inelligible votes. So people will be coming out in droves. What I want to say is that if they really wanted it to be free and fair, move the election if current restrictions are placed to prevent COVID. It has to be moved to be free and fair.

Q. How would you like it to be moved?

A. If it is to be moved, there are two possible issues. If it was moved too much, the current parliament will expire in January 2021. If the third iteration of the parliament is not ready then it will be an issue. The other thing is that if the government isn't ready, there will be a need to form an interim government. We do not want that to happen because that is political instability. As we are a democratic nation, we want the government to change every five years through the election. This is the right of the people and the country. So we want stability for sure. That is why we sent an open letter to the Union Election Commission that encouraged the election to be moved to December 27, 2020, Sunday. But if they really want to push it then the latest could be the first week of January 2021. For example, days like independence day is a public holiday for all as well as a notable day for Myanmar. We could hold the election then.

Q. What is your view as the chairperson of the PPP: is the control of COVID-19 more important or to win in the election?

A. No.1 is that the health of the people is most important because of local transmission. During the first wave, returnees from foreign lands were quarantined. There were hotel and facility quarantines for those that boarded international flights. After the first, now comes the second wave and it is much stronger. Infections are found via local transmissions with no travel history to abroad. This is a huge threat to a great majority of the people's health. That is why for me, nothing should take greater importance than safeguarding the lives of the people. Is the election important? of course it is because we are a nation that had just started its democracy and it is crucial that a general election happens every five year to put forward a government that the people elected. But like I've said before, this could be delayed by around two months with the latest being the first week of January 2021. We are not saying the election isn't important or that it shouldn't be held. By all means, please do but the current threats to the health and safety of the people must be conquered first and then hold it two months later. This decision is up to a certain person or the UEC. I do not get why the UEC will not want to delay the election without risk of political instability. The UEC respects health and safety and the lives of the people. Local transmissions are high. Why is it so difficult for them to just delay it by two months? Both are very important but the health of the people takes priority. Its a threat to their lives, their livelihoods. And just because election take second priority, no one is saying do not do it at all. The people want to vote with all their hearts. You can move the election by two months if there is real sympathy for the people. The meaning of saying that the election is more important is that power and to keep a hold on it is more important. That is why we want the election to be moved. If they really wanted to, the UEC can do so in a heartbeat. It is a small matter for the UEC.