While Burma is a FPTP presidentialism, it is as though in the
Proportional Representation (PR) system that the NLD made its
parliamentary candidate selection, based on personal loyalty and
clientalism.
In such an arrangement, the party may assess candidates' performance by the number of votes the latter get in respective constituencies, but there is a lack of accountability mechanism for voters once the MPs are inside the parliament. How will the electorates know which legislators gave what vote on specific issues or spot "free riding"? Adding to that a strong personality cult, this would be a serious challenge for the country's democratic prospects.
In such an arrangement, the party may assess candidates' performance by the number of votes the latter get in respective constituencies, but there is a lack of accountability mechanism for voters once the MPs are inside the parliament. How will the electorates know which legislators gave what vote on specific issues or spot "free riding"? Adding to that a strong personality cult, this would be a serious challenge for the country's democratic prospects.
The former military regime created a semi-presidential system that
avoids responsibility on purpose. The pro-democracy party is not only
incapable of reforming the system, it is contributing to make the
institutions opaque and unaccountable.
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