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Important Facts About the 2015 General Election Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation - Emref
Important Facts about the 2015 Myanmar General Election Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation (EMReF) 2015 October Important Facts about the 2015 General Election Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation - EMReF 1 Important Facts about the 2015 General Election Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation - EMReF ENLIGHTENED MYANMAR RESEARCH ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ABSTRACT FOUNDATION (EMReF) This report is a product of the Information Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation EMReF is an accredited non-profit research Strategies for Societies in Transition program. (EMReF has been carrying out political-oriented organization dedicated to socioeconomic and This program is supported by United States studies since 2012. In 2013, EMReF published the political studies in order to provide information Agency for International Development Fact Book of Political Parties in Myanmar (2010- and evidence-based recommendations for (USAID), Microsoft, the Bill & Melinda Gates 2012). Recently, EMReF studied The Record different stakeholders. EMReF has been Foundation, and the Tableau Foundation.The Keeping and Information Sharing System of extending its role in promoting evidence-based program is housed in the University of Pyithu Hluttaw (the People’s Parliament) and policy making, enhancing political awareness Washington's Henry M. Jackson School of shared the report to all stakeholders and the and participation for citizens and CSOs through International Studies and is run in collaboration public. Currently, EMReF has been regularly providing reliable and trustworthy information with the Technology & Social Change Group collecting some important data and information on political parties and elections, parliamentary (TASCHA) in the University of Washington’s on the elections and political parties. performances, and essential development Information School, and two partner policy issues. -
Queries Raised and Replied, Proposal Submitted, Approval Sought
Established 1914 Volume XVIII, Number 338 6th Waning of Tabaung 1372 ME Friday, 25 March, 2011 Root cause of splits The root causes that underlay the rise of fractious sectarianism and the proliferation of splits are found to be the incentives that the colonialists provided to expand their sphere of influence, the wedges of instigation and incitement that they drove in a wellplanned manner among colleagues, the arrogance born of overestimating oneself, personal rivalries and underestimating others, jealousies, suspicions and grudges. Some parties looked to foreign countries for guidance and inspiration, followed the imported ideologies and directives irrationally under foreign influence and carried out purges against fellow party members, which inevitably led to their demise. There were also many others that brought misery on themselves by aping the practices of countries with divergent development and dissimilar backgrounds. Senior General Than Shwe Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services (From speech delivered at the parade of 64th Anniversary Armed Forces Day) Senior General Than Shwe sends Four political objectives * Stability of the State, community peace and tranquil- lity, prevalence of law and order * National reconsolidation felicitations to President of Hellenic Republic * Emergence of a new enduring State Constitution * Building of a new modern developed nation in accord NAY P YI T AW, 25 March—Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and with the new State Constitution Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of felicitations to His Four economic objectives Excellency Mr. Karolos Papoulias, President of the Hellenic Republic, on the occasion of the * Development of agriculture as the base and all-round devel- opment of other sectors of the economy as well National Day of the Hellenic Republic, which falls on 25 March 2011. -
Ethnic Politics and the 2015 Elections in Myanmar
MYANMAR POLICY BRIEFING | 16 | September 2015 Ethnic Politics and the 2015 Elections in Myanmar RECOMMENDATIONS • The 2015 general election presents an important opportunity to give political voice to Myanmar’s diverse ethnic nationality communities and empower them to pursue their aspirations, provided that it is genuinely free and fair. • If successfully held, the general election is likely to mark another key step in the process of national transition from decades of military rule. However the achievement of nationwide peace and further constitutional reform are still needed to guarantee the democratic rights, representation and participation of all peoples in determining the country’s future. • Although nationality parties are likely to win many seats in the polls, the impact of identity politics and vote-splitting along ethnic and party lines may see electoral success falling short of expectations. This can be addressed through political cooperation and reform. It is essential for peace and stability that the democratic process offers real hope to nationality communities that they can have greater control over their destiny. • Inequitable distribution of political and economic rights has long driven mistrust and conflict in Myanmar. The 2015 general election must mark a new era of political inclusion, not division, in national politics. After the elections, it is vital that an inclusive political dialogue moves forward at the national level to unite parliamentary processes and ethnic ceasefire talks as a political roadmap for all citizens. ideas into movement Introduction Myanmar/Burma1 is heading to the polls in November 2015, in what will be a closely watched election. Provided that they are free and fair, the polls are likely to have a major influence over the future political direction of the country, with an expected shift in power from the old elite to the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD). -
Finding Common Ground
EBO Background Paper No.5 | 2019 September 2019 AUTHOR | Paul Keenan Finding Common Ground Ethnic Political Parties and the 2020 elections As Myanmar moves towards the 2020 election, ethnic political parties now, more than ever, need to work together and find common ground if they ever want to influence the future politics of the country and ensure ethnic equality. Minority ethnic groups make up a third of the country's 51.5 million people.1 Currently, ethnic politics can be defined as consisting of five main actors: merged ethnic political parties, the NCA non-signatory armed ethnic groups, NCA signatory groups, the Nationalities Brotherhood Forum (NBF), and the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA). All of these groups have divergent interests and it is these interests that may weaken ethnic policymaking in the future. While all groups profess a singular goal – ethnic equality and a genuine federal union, it is how they work together, if they can, that will ultimately decide the future of ethnic representation in the country after the 2020 election. One of the main ethnic alliance is the United Nationalities Alliance which was formed after the 1990 election and was considered one of the most influential and experienced political alliances operating in the country.2 The UNA encompassed a varied spectrum of ethnic political parties, dominated by the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), which had contested and won seats in the 1990 general election. Originally, in the UNA there were 12 different political parties. Today, there -
FIDH Report Half Empty: Burma's Political Parties and Their Human Rights Commitments
Half Empty: Burma’s political parties and their human rights commitments November 2015 / N°668a November © AFP PHOTO / Soe Than Win MPs attend parliamentary session in Naypyidaw on July 4, 2012. TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Foreword 4 2. Executive summary 4 3. Methodology 5 4. Outgoing Parliament disappoints on human rights 7 11 5.1 - Media freedom 12 5.2 - Religious discrimination 12 5.3 - Role of the military 13 5.4 - Accountability for past crimes 13 5.5 - Legislative reform 14 5.6 - Women’s rights 14 5.7 - Death penalty 14 5.8 - Ethnic minority rights 15 15 5.10 - Human rights defenders 15 5.11 - Investment, development, and infrastructure projects 16 5.12 - Next government’s top priorities 16 6. Recommendations to elected MPs 17 7. Appendixes 20 7.1 - Appendix 1: Survey’s complete results 20 7.2 - Appendix 2: Political parties contesting the 8 November election 25 1. FOREWORD By Tomás Ojea Quintana, former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar to visit the new Parliament in Myanmar, I was able to economic course. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Suu Kyi, is expected to win. 1 Burma Issues & Concerns Vol. 6: The generals’ election, January 2011 4 FIDH - HALF EMPTY: BURMA’S POLITICAL PARTIES AND THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITMENTS concerns. The report provides numerous recommendations to MPs, based on statements and reports issued by various UN special procedures as well as resolutions adopted by 3. METHODOLOGY [See Appendix 2: Political parties contesting the 8 November election Appendix 1: Survey’s complete results FIDH - HALF EMPTY: BURMA’S POLITICAL PARTIES AND THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITMENTS 5 6 FIDH - HALF EMPTY: BURMA’S POLITICAL PARTIES AND THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITMENTS 4. -
The Electoral System of Myanmar
國立中山大學中國與亞太區域研究所 碩士論文 Institute of China and Asia-Pacific Studies National Sun Yat-sen University Master Thesis 緬甸選舉制度之研究 The Electoral System of Myanmar 研究生：柯蓉卡 Kristína Kironská 指導教授：林文程 博士 Dr. Wen-cheng Lin 中華民國 100 年 7 月 July 2011 I Acknowledgements From the formative stages of this thesis, to the final draft, I owe an immense debt of gratitude to my thesis advisor, Dr. Wen-cheng Lin. His sound advice and careful guidance were invaluable as I attempted to examine the electoral system of Myanmar and the legitimacy of the current government established after the 2010 elections. I would also like to thank Miss Wu, the China and Asia-Pacific department’s secretary, for her never failing and patient assistance. A sincere thank to all professors of the Institute of China and Asia-Pacific Studies and the Institute of Political Science who have taught me for their generous academic support and teaching. Special thanks to Professor Allison Haga, for her insightful comments, and to my classmate Kevin for his patience while proofreading my work. In addition, I would also like to show my gratitude to the Taiwan Ministry of Education which has provided me financial support throughout my studies at NSYSU. Lastly, I offer my regards to all of those who supported me in any respect during the completion of this thesis. Kaohsiung, July 2011 -Kristína Kironská- II Abstract Myanmar, an isolated country in Southeast Asia, held general elections for the People’s Assembly in 2010, the first in twenty years and the second in fifty years. The military junta that has ruled the country for decades has been facing strong criticism from the international community. -
Ethnic Politics and the 2015 Elections in Myanmar
MYANMAR POLICY BRIEFING | 16 | September 2015 Ethnic Politics and the 2015 Elections in Myanmar KEY POINTS • The 2015 general election presents an important opportunity to give political voice to Myanmar’s diverse ethnic nationality communities and empower them to pursue their aspirations, provided that it is genuinely free and fair. • If successfully held, the general election is likely to mark another key step in the process of national transition from decades of military rule. However the achievement of nationwide peace and further constitutional reform are still needed to guarantee the democratic rights, representation and participation of all peoples in determining the country’s future. • Although nationality parties are likely to win many seats in the polls, the impact of identity politics and vote-splitting along ethnic and party lines may see electoral success falling short of expectations. This can be addressed through political cooperation and reform. It is essential for peace and stability that the democratic process offers real hope to nationality communities that they can have greater control over their destiny. • Inequitable distribution of political and economic rights has long driven mistrust and conflict in Myanmar. The 2015 general election must mark a new era of political inclusion, not division, in national politics. After the elections, it is vital that an inclusive political dialogue moves forward at the national level to unite parliamentary processes and ethnic ceasefire talks as a political roadmap for all citizens. ideas into movement Introduction Myanmar/Burma1 is heading to the polls in November 2015, in what will be a closely watched election. Provided that they are free and fair, the polls are likely to have a major influence over the future political direction of the country, with an expected shift in power from the old elite to the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD). -
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Download the Briefing [Pdf, 177KB]
Burma Policy Briefing Nr 4 December 2010 A Changing Ethnic Landscape: Analysis of Burma's 2010 Polls The elections held in Burma on 7 Novem- ber 2010 were not free and fair. The mani- Conclusions and Recommendations pulation of the vote count was even more Burma is at a critical juncture in its blatant than those parties and individuals history. The transition to a form of who decided to participate, despite the un- civilian government and constitutional level playing field, had expected. This has rule is underway, however imperfect it severely limited the opposition’s represen- may be. tation in the legislatures, and it has seriously damaged the credibility of the The 2010 elections in Burma have not new government to be formed in the been free and fair. The manipulation of coming weeks. the vote count was also more blatant than anticipated. This has severely limited Nevertheless, the significance of the elec- opposition representation in the tions should not be underestimated. This legislatures, and seriously damaged the was a point made in advance of the elec- credibility of the new government that tions by many opposition parties that took will be formed soon. part, that they were participating not out of any misguided sense that the polls would be The new government should open credible, but because of the important political space in the country, release structural shifts the elections should bring: political prisoners, protect basic freedoms, a generational transition within the military and seek lasting solutions to the ethnic leadership, an array of new constitutional conflicts. and political structures, and some space to openly debate political issues. -
The Ethnic Political Parties of Myanmar (2018 Update)
The Ethnic Political Parties of Myanmar (2018 update) States/ States/ States/ Total No. of elected No. of candidates fielded by parties No. of candidates fielded by parties 2017 No. of candidates fielded by parties 2018 Union Union Union UPDJC Regions Regions Regions candidates in both 2015 General Elections By-Elections By-Elections No. Parties Parliament Parliament Parliament UPDJC Working NBF UNA Parliaments Parliaments Parliaments parliaments by parties 2015 2017 2018 Committees 2015 2017 2018 2015+2017+2018 Total LH UP S/R Ethnic Total LH UP S/R Ethnic Total LH UP S/R Ethnic 1 Akha National Development Party 1 1 1 7 1 5 1 1 1 0 2 All Mon Regions Democracy Party 1 1 1 1 x 35 7 10 17 1 1 1 0 3 Arakan League for Democracy Party 0 x 0 0 3 1 2 4 Arakan National Party 22 23 1 46 1 1 x 79 21 15 41 2 0 1 1 5 Arakan Patriot Party 0 x 16 5 3 8 0 0 6 Asho Chin National Party 0 x 10 2 6 2 0 0 7 Chin League for Democracy 1 1 x 27 7 5 14 1 0 2 2 8 Chin National Democratic Party 0 x 58 13 13 29 3 1 1 1 1 9 Chin Progressive Party 0 x 23 4 5 13 1 0 1 1 10 Daingnet National Development Party 0 3 1 2 0 0 11 Danu National Democracy Party 0 x 19 5 3 11 0 0 12 Danu National Organization Party 0 x 7 2 1 4 0 0 13 Dawei Nationalities Party 0 x 13 3 3 7 0 0 14 Eastern Shan State Development Democratic Party 0 7 2 1 4 0 0 15 Ethnic National Development Party 0 x 7 1 2 4 0 0 16 Federal Union Party 0 x 37 12 3 22 0 0 17 Inn National Development Party 0 x 6 1 1 3 1 0 0 18 Inn Nationalities League Party 0 x 5 1 3 1 0 0 19 Ka Man National Development Party 0 4 -
Myanmar: Ethnic Politics and the 2020 General Election
MYANMAR POLICY BRIEFING | 23 | September 2020 Myanmar: Ethnic Politics and the 2020 General Election KEY POINTS • The 2020 general election is scheduled to take place at a critical moment in Myanmar’s transition from half a century under military rule. The advent of the National League for Democracy to government office in March 2016 was greeted by all the country’s peoples as the opportunity to bring about real change. But since this time, the ethnic peace process has faltered, constitutional reform has not started, and conflict has escalated in several parts of the country, becoming emergencies of grave international concern. • Covid-19 represents a new – and serious – challenge to the conduct of free and fair elections. Postponements cannot be ruled out. But the spread of the pandemic is not expected to have a significant impact on the election outcome as long as it goes ahead within constitutionally-appointed times. The NLD is still widely predicted to win, albeit on reduced scale. Questions, however, will remain about the credibility of the polls during a time of unprecedented restrictions and health crisis. • There are three main reasons to expect NLD victory. Under the country’s complex political system, the mainstream party among the ethnic Bamar majority always win the polls. In the population at large, a victory for the NLD is regarded as the most likely way to prevent a return to military government. The Covid-19 crisis and campaign restrictions hand all the political advantages to the NLD and incumbent authorities. ideas into movement • To improve election performance, ethnic nationality parties are introducing a number of new measures, including “party mergers” and “no-compete” agreements. -
Burma's 2015 Parliamentary Elections: Issues for Congress
Burma’s 2015 Parliamentary Elections: Issues for Congress Michael F. Martin Specialist in Asian Affairs March 28, 2016 Congressional Research Service 7-5700 www.crs.gov R44436 Burma’s 2015 Parliamentary Elections: Issues for Congress Summary The landslide victory of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) in Burma’s November 2015 parliamentary elections may prove to be a major step in the nation’s potential transition to a more democratic government. Having won nearly 80% of the contested seats in the election, the NLD has a majority in both chambers of the Union Parliament, which gave it the ability to select the President-elect, as well as control of most of the nation’s Regional and State Parliaments. Burma’s 2008 constitution, however, grants the Burmese military, or Tatmadaw, widespread powers in the governance of the nation, and nearly complete autonomy from civilian control. One quarter of the seats in each chamber of the Union Parliament are reserved for military officers appointed by the Tatmadaw’s Commander-in-Chief, giving them the ability to block any constitutional amendments. Military officers constitute a majority of the National Defence and Security Council, an 11-member body with some oversight authority over the President. The constitution also grants the Tatmadaw “the right to independently administer and adjudicate all affairs of the armed services,” and designates the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services as “the ‘Supreme Commander’ of all armed forces,” which could have serious implications for efforts to end the nation’s six-decade-long, low-grade civil war. -
Ethnic Politics in Burma: the Time for Solutions
Burma Policy Briefing Nr 5 February 2011 Ethnic Politics in Burma: The Time for Solutions Burma remains a land in ethnic crisis and political transition. In 2010 the military Conclusions and Recommendations State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) laid out the landscape for a new era An inclusive endgame has long been of parliamentary government. In 2011 the needed to achieve national reconcilia- authorities face the challenge of intro- tion. But political and ethnic exclusions ducing the new political system. Ethnic are continuing in national politics. If divisions and political exclusions, however, divisions persist, Burma’s legacy of state are emerging in national politics, threaten- failure and national under-achievement ing a new cycle of impasse and conflict. will continue. Ethnic peace and political inclusion are The moment of opportunity of a new essential if Burma is to overcome its post- government should not be lost. It is vital colonial legacy of state failure. Since that the new government pursues independence from Great Britain in 1948, policies that support dialogue and political and ethnic strife have continued participation for all peoples in the new through all eras of government. The social political and economic system. Policies and humanitarian consequences have been that favour the armed forces and mili- immense. Burma is one of the world’s tary solutions will perpetuate divisions poorest countries, with population and instability. displacement, drug-related problems and infectious disease rates disturbingly high in Opposition groups must face how their the ethnic borderlands. diversity and disunity have contributed to Burma’s history of state failure. If they Under the SPDC, there has been no inclu- are to support democratic and ethnic sive process of dialogue involving the reforms, national participation and unity conflicting parties in national politics.