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"The role of the opposition and civil society in Burma must be clear. If they insist on boycotting the junta government, that means they will have to stay on the [political] fringe as they have been for 20 years," said Puangthong Pawakapan of Chulalongkorn University's faculty of political science yesterday at a panel discussion on "2010 Election: The prospect of Change inside Burma". She urged the international community too not to let the junta run the election alone whether the junta-drafted new constitution was democratic or not.

The discussion was co-organised by the Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma and Altsean Burma to mark the 21st anniversary of the 8888 people's uprising in Burma.

The election, at least, will provide an opportunity for civil society to work together in political space, she said.

But Pornpimon Trichote, an expert on Burmese affairs at the Institute of Asian Studies, was concerned about the future of ethnic minorities after the election.She said she doubted if they would be fairly treated in Burmese politics after the election as they have never received equal rights to participate.

Moe Zaw Oo of the National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) said that participation in the coming election under this constitution would be meaningless.

"It will just mean that we endorse the constitution, which will constitutionally prolong their rule for decades to come," he said.

Puangthong, however, warned Burmese activists and members of civil society not to expect a democratic constitution.

Why don't the opposition groups let the election be a blue print for the junta's government to follow, she suggested.

"It is easy to boycott the election. But this is the time for civil society to evaluate strategy," she said.