Burmese general election, 1956
Encyclopedia
Burma held its second general election on 27 April 1956 to vote for 202 out of 250 seats to the Burmese Chamber of Deputies; the remaining 48 were decided automatically as no opposition candidates were entered against candidates of the ruling Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League
(AFPFL).
The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League
(AFPFL), a former wartime resistance organisation, won the election with a reduced majority. After the election, U Nu
, leader of the AFPFL, temporarily retired to reform the party and its policies.
The second part of the election to elect members to the Chamber of Nationalities
took place on 22 May after the election commission stated that "rebel intimidation and the lack of security prevented the people from exercising freedom of choice". Voter turnout was 47.8%.
(NUF) and smaller parties participated in the election. The NUF was successful in gaining media attention and organising trade union and peasant organisations. However, the AFPFL was concerned at alleged funding by foreign embassies of the NUF. A number of smaller parties represented different ethnic groups and were more local than national. Meanwhile, U Nu of the AFPFL advocated his long held policy of neutrality
.
Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League
The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League , or hpa hsa pa la by its Burmese acronym, was the main political party in Burma from 1945 until 1962...
(AFPFL).
The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League
Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League
The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League , or hpa hsa pa la by its Burmese acronym, was the main political party in Burma from 1945 until 1962...
(AFPFL), a former wartime resistance organisation, won the election with a reduced majority. After the election, U Nu
U Nu
For other people with the Burmese name Nu, see Nu .U Nu was a leading Burmese nationalist and political figure of the 20th century...
, leader of the AFPFL, temporarily retired to reform the party and its policies.
The second part of the election to elect members to the Chamber of Nationalities
Chamber of Nationalities
The Chamber of Nationalities was the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Burma from 1948 to 1962. Under the 1947 Constitution, bills initiated and passed by the lower house, the Chamber of Deputies, were to be sent to the Chamber of Nationalities for review and revision...
took place on 22 May after the election commission stated that "rebel intimidation and the lack of security prevented the people from exercising freedom of choice". Voter turnout was 47.8%.
Political parties
The AFPFL, National United FrontNational United Front
The National United Front was a political coalition in Burma, formed ahead of the April 1956 general election. NUF consisted of the Burma Workers and Peasants Party, the Justice Party led by Dr. E Maung, the People's Unity Party led by Thein Pe Myint, the People's Peace Front and other sectors. NUF...
(NUF) and smaller parties participated in the election. The NUF was successful in gaining media attention and organising trade union and peasant organisations. However, the AFPFL was concerned at alleged funding by foreign embassies of the NUF. A number of smaller parties represented different ethnic groups and were more local than national. Meanwhile, U Nu of the AFPFL advocated his long held policy of neutrality
Neutrality (international relations)
A neutral power in a particular war is a sovereign state which declares itself to be neutral towards the belligerents. A non-belligerent state does not need to be neutral. The rights and duties of a neutral power are defined in Sections 5 and 13 of the Hague Convention of 1907...
.
Polling day
After identifying themselves and voting, voters would dip their forefinger in green indelible ink. Opposition parties complained of minor irregularities regarding election lists. Due to the security situation, the army was told to ensure free and fair elections but not to intimidate voters. Students in the capital Rangoon had threatened to cause disorder after one of their leaders was killed by police, however this did not materialise.Results
| Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League , or hpa hsa pa la by its Burmese acronym, was the main political party in Burma from 1945 until 1962... |
1,844,614 | 47.7 | 148 | |
| National United Front National United Front The National United Front was a political coalition in Burma, formed ahead of the April 1956 general election. NUF consisted of the Burma Workers and Peasants Party, the Justice Party led by Dr. E Maung, the People's Unity Party led by Thein Pe Myint, the People's Peace Front and other sectors. NUF... |
1,170,073 | 30.4 | 48 | New |
| Arkan National Unity Organisation | 853,555 | 21.9 | 6 | 0 |
| United Hill People's Congress | 14 | New | ||
| All-Shan State Organisation | 4 | New | ||
| People's Educational and Cultural Development Organisation | 4 | New | ||
| Kachin National Congress | 2 | New | ||
| Shan State United Hill People's Organisation | 2 | New | ||
| Burma National Bloc | 1 | New | ||
| United National Pa-O Organisation | 1 | New | ||
| Independents | 13 | |||
| Vacant | ||||
| 7 | ||||
| Total | 3,868,242 | 100 | 250 | 0 |
| Source: Politics, Parties and National Elections in Burma, Nohlen et al. | ||||