"The main debate today is whether to boycott or to contest the upcoming 7 November 2010 elections. Passions are high. The democracy movement is split. Those that have not heeded the National League for Democracy?s (NLD) call for a boycott are being labelled as ?opportunists? and traitors who are endorsing the military?s 2008 Constitution. But in reality, whatever course of action is taken, the outcome is already largely predetermined, except for some possible upsets in localized areas – both ethnic and Burman1. All agree that the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)2 and/or the former Ne Win era military-backed National Unity Party (NUP)3 will win most of the seats. Even without vote manipulation, these two parties will win because they are the only parties that can afford to field the full slate of over 1,000 candidates4 at the US$500/head registration fee (GDP per capital in Burma is US$400). The next two largest opposition parties have been able to field only 1635 and 1576 candidates each. It is also clear that the elections are an attempt by the ruling SPDC7 to legitimize its rule and permanently enshrine the role of the military in Burmese politics. Everyone knows that the election process is neither free nor fair, and that the Election Commission is highly biased. Even more dirty tricks are expected before Election Day. Nobody is under the illusion that the elections will usher in democracy and that the military?s control will be eased any time soon. The 2008 constitution provides for military control to continue over all aspects of Burmese life, as it now does. No real change is supposed to take place. More importantly, the new military-controlled ?civilian? government may be emboldened by its new found ?legitimacy? to use force to try to resolve the ?ethnic issue? once and for all. Senior-General Than Shwe was very impressed by the Sri Lankan final operations against the Tamil Tigers in 2009. If this is so, why is there even a debate? Is it not clear that any participation in the elections will only lend credibility to a bankrupt process and strengthen the military?s grip on power?..."