"2010 has at last arrived. The momentous event of the decade, in fact in the country?s history, will be the election to be held under the 2008 constitution. It will provide a historic opportunity to put the military rulers in the dock as per their promise for fair and free elections to elect a new civilian democratic government according to the Constitution ratified in 2008. Perhaps we will witness a great turning point in the history of Burma. In 2008 the ruling military junta held a referendum on the Constitution drafted by its appointed National Convention.Having done that, which took 14 years, it was time to have a general election to elect a government according to the provisions of the constitution. It is of paramount importance that we bear in mind the process which gave birth to the 2008 constitution. A National Convention was established through the direct appointment of the overwhelming majority of its members. At the outset the National League for Democracy, the main opposition party, was given a small space. But eventually it was forced to leave the Convention because of the ways in which the proceedings were carried out. In effect the 2008 constitution was devoid of the will of the people and the draft was created without the mandate of the people. It was a prudent exercise in power politics by those who hold guns to stick to power to rule the people..."