Seminar Report The role of Political Parties in Democratic Transitions

Conducting capacity building of political parties on party organisation, party funding and political party
campaigning in a cross-party setting and on an equal basis.
Carrying out civic education/democracy education for political leaders and their cadre and the general
population
Promoting rule of law - especially in rural areas people are not able to exercise their rights.
Establishing a informal multiparty dialogue platform outside of parliament is critical especially to
change the constitution in an inclusive way.
Promoting the role of women in Parliament through affirmative action.
Engaging the private sector and local artists in the political discourse.
Seek to counteract brain drain from Myanmar and promote “brain gain”.
2.3. Workshop 3: Responding to voter expectations: Representation and Delivery - Challenges
and ways forward in Myanmar
By Mr C.K. Lal and a local co-facilitator Ms Khin Su Myat Tun, Myanmar Egress
In this workshop, the challenges, dilemmas and opportunities for responding to voter expectations were
discussed. The shift to representative politics presents a steep learning curve for political parties. The
leaders of the transition must be capable of inspiring and exciting people, but at the same time, they must
convince the populace that sometimes they will have to wait, and adjust their demands to the reality of the
political situation. Political parties need to be responsive to public opinion, but ultimately, they also have a
responsibility for leading and shaping public opinion according to what is realistic.
The shift to representative politics presents a steep learning curve for political parties. The leaders of the
transition must be capable of inspiring and exciting people, but at the same time, they must convince the
populace that sometimes they will have to wait, and adjust their demands to the reality of the political
situation. Political parties need to be responsive to public opinion, but ultimately, they also have a
responsibility for leading and shaping public opinion according to what is realistic.
This workshop facilitates a dialogue around:
What are the key expectations of the citizens in Myanmar in the democratisation processes with
regard the conduct and policies of the political parties?
How can political parties accommodate the different views of various social groups and ethnic groups
and help promote reconciliation, understanding and peace?
How can political parties facilitate democratic knowledge and practice among citizens; and
improvements in citizens’ general livelihoods and wellbeing?
How do parties collect the needs and interests of their electorate? What are the challenges in
engaging with/involving citizens? How can it be improved?
Mr C.K. Lal asked what features do voters expect from a political party and from a political leader?
Ultimately, however, the long-term success of political parties depends on what they do in between
election campaigns rather than during them.
As an icebreaker, Mr C.K. Lal asked the workshop participants to decide their preferred way of decision
making in this workshop: by voting, consensus or by decision of their leader. The participants were also
invited to identify their favourite Myanmar political party other than their own party - and choose a
preferred party leader of their choice (international or local).
Discussion
In a participatory setting, in which workshop participants were divided into four working groups, the
following set of questions were addressed:
1. What are the key expectations of citizen in Myanmar in terms of policies and conduct of political
affairs?
2. How can political parties accommodate the differences between various local groups?
3. How can political parties disseminate political knowledge and practise amongst the citizens?
4. How do political parties collect the needs and interest of the electorate and how can these methods be
improved in Myanmar?
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