Burmese general election, 1990
Encyclopedia
General elections were held in Burma on 27 May 1990, the first multi-party elections since 1960
, after which the country had been ruled by a military dictatorship
. The elections were not meant to form a parliamentary government, but rather to form a parliament sized constitutional committee to draft a new constitution.
The elections were won convincingly by Aung San Suu Kyi
's National League for Democracy
(NLD), who took 392 of the 492 seats. However, the military junta refused to recognize the results, and ruled the country as the State Peace and Development Council
until 2011. Voter turnout was 72.6%.
and the rise of leader Aung San Suu Kyi placed worldwide media attention on the political situation in Burma. In September 1988, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC, the predecessor to the State Peace and Development Council), in its Declaration No. 1, had set four goals for the country: to maintain law and order, improve transportation, improve the humanitarian situation and hold multi-party elections
. It also stated that the military would not "cling to power for long". Suu Kyi had been calling for dialogue between the SLORC and the citizens of Burma. In May 1989, the government reopened universities that had been involved in the uprising the previous year. At the same time, the government conceded and a date for the election was set for May 1990 with political parties registering for the election immediately. The date, 27 May 1990, was chosen for its auspicious nature surrounding the number 9; 27 May (2+7=9), and on the fourth Sunday of the fifth month (4+5=9).
(NUP) was favoured by the party to win. Suu Kyi, a popular opposition figure, ran against General Ne Win
's largely disliked associate, Sein Lein. The symbol for the NUP was a sheaf of rice stalks, and the NLD's was a straw hat. Some people took to wearing rice stalks around their bare feet, a grave insult in a Buddhist country.
Although election campaigning was underway, the government placed restrictions on opposition politicians. U Aung Gyi
, a former member of the junta, was expected to lead a weak coalition that would not challenge the interests of the army. He was imprisoned in 1988 for his outspoken views against the regime, but criticised Suu Kyi for being a "radical manipulated by Communists
". Former Prime Minister U Nu
remained under house arrest
during the election process, as was Suu Kyi since 20 July 1989, without trial. Throughout campaigning, the government kept its restrictions on public gatherings and political meetings, and required all political literature to be approved by the SLORC prior to publication; however political parties defied the ruling. Two days before the election, visas for 61 foreign journalists were unexpectedly issued to cover the vote.
, with some forming the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
. Two months after the election, the SLORC issued Order 1/90, explaining it had legitimacy to rule as it was recognised by the United Nations
and individual countries, as well as ensuring it would prevent the breakup of the Union. It required all parties to recognise and accept the Order, and many opposition figures who refused were arrested.
Burmese general election, 1960
Burma held its third general election on 6 February 1960 to decide which faction of the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League should take over from General Ne Win's interim administration, established in October 1958...
, after which the country had been ruled by a military dictatorship
Military dictatorship
A military dictatorship is a form of government where in the political power resides with the military. It is similar but not identical to a stratocracy, a state ruled directly by the military....
. The elections were not meant to form a parliamentary government, but rather to form a parliament sized constitutional committee to draft a new constitution.
The elections were won convincingly by Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi
Aung San Suu Kyi, AC is a Burmese opposition politician and the General Secretary of the National League for Democracy. In the 1990 general election, her National League for Democracy party won 59% of the national votes and 81% of the seats in Parliament. She had, however, already been detained...
's National League for Democracy
National League for Democracy
The National League for Democracy is a Burmese political party founded on 27 September 1988. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi serves as its General Secretary. The party won a substantial parliamentary majority in the 1990 Burmese general election. However, the ruling military junta...
(NLD), who took 392 of the 492 seats. However, the military junta refused to recognize the results, and ruled the country as the State Peace and Development Council
State Peace and Development Council
The State Peace and Development Council was the official name of the military regime of Burma , which seized power in 1988. On 30 March 2011, Senior General Than Shwe signed a decree to officially dissolve the Council....
until 2011. Voter turnout was 72.6%.
Background
The aftermath of the uprising in 19888888 Uprising
The 8888 Nationwide Popular Pro-Democracy Protests was a series of marches, demonstrations, protests, and riots in the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma...
and the rise of leader Aung San Suu Kyi placed worldwide media attention on the political situation in Burma. In September 1988, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC, the predecessor to the State Peace and Development Council), in its Declaration No. 1, had set four goals for the country: to maintain law and order, improve transportation, improve the humanitarian situation and hold multi-party elections
Multi-party system
A multi-party system is a system in which multiple political parties have the capacity to gain control of government separately or in coalition, e.g.The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in the United Kingdom formed in 2010. The effective number of parties in a multi-party system is normally...
. It also stated that the military would not "cling to power for long". Suu Kyi had been calling for dialogue between the SLORC and the citizens of Burma. In May 1989, the government reopened universities that had been involved in the uprising the previous year. At the same time, the government conceded and a date for the election was set for May 1990 with political parties registering for the election immediately. The date, 27 May 1990, was chosen for its auspicious nature surrounding the number 9; 27 May (2+7=9), and on the fourth Sunday of the fifth month (4+5=9).
Parties and campaigning
93 political parties presented a total of 2,297 candidates to contest the 492 constituencies, with at least 2 candidates per constituency. Of the 93, 19 different ethnic parties also took part in the election. The National Unity PartyNational Unity Party (Burma)
The National Unity Party is a political party in Burma . It was formed by the military junta as well as members of the Burma Socialist Programme Party to take part in the general election of May 27, 1990. The party was defeated by the National League for Democracy. NUP's headquarters are in Bahan...
(NUP) was favoured by the party to win. Suu Kyi, a popular opposition figure, ran against General Ne Win
Ne Win
Ne Win was Burmese a politician and military commander. He was Prime Minister of Burma from 1958 to 1960 and 1962 to 1974 and also head of state from 1962 to 1981...
's largely disliked associate, Sein Lein. The symbol for the NUP was a sheaf of rice stalks, and the NLD's was a straw hat. Some people took to wearing rice stalks around their bare feet, a grave insult in a Buddhist country.
Although election campaigning was underway, the government placed restrictions on opposition politicians. U Aung Gyi
Aung Gyi
Aung Gyi was a member of General Ne Win's 4th Burma Rifles rising to Brigadier General. Aung Gyi was a Chinese descendant and he had a very typical Chinese name Chen Tianwang in addition to the more commonly used Ang Ji . He played a role in the caretaker government of 1958-60 led by Ne Win...
, a former member of the junta, was expected to lead a weak coalition that would not challenge the interests of the army. He was imprisoned in 1988 for his outspoken views against the regime, but criticised Suu Kyi for being a "radical manipulated by Communists
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
". Former Prime Minister 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...
remained under house arrest
House arrest
In justice and law, house arrest is a measure by which a person is confined by the authorities to his or her residence. Travel is usually restricted, if allowed at all...
during the election process, as was Suu Kyi since 20 July 1989, without trial. Throughout campaigning, the government kept its restrictions on public gatherings and political meetings, and required all political literature to be approved by the SLORC prior to publication; however political parties defied the ruling. Two days before the election, visas for 61 foreign journalists were unexpectedly issued to cover the vote.
Results
The National League for Democracy won 392 out of 492 seats that were in the end contested; the junta's party (NUP) came second in terms of vote share (21%) but fourth in seats (10).| Party | Votes | % | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| National League for Democracy National League for Democracy The National League for Democracy is a Burmese political party founded on 27 September 1988. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi serves as its General Secretary. The party won a substantial parliamentary majority in the 1990 Burmese general election. However, the ruling military junta... |
7,930,841 | 59.9 | 392 |
| National Unity Party National Unity Party (Burma) The National Unity Party is a political party in Burma . It was formed by the military junta as well as members of the Burma Socialist Programme Party to take part in the general election of May 27, 1990. The party was defeated by the National League for Democracy. NUP's headquarters are in Bahan... |
3,312,122 | 21.2 | 10 |
| Shan Nationalities League for Democracy Shan Nationalities League for Democracy The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy is a political party in Myanmar , representing the interests of the Shan minority. At the last parliamentary elections held on 27 May 1990, under the leadership of Khun Htun Oo, the party won a clear representation, became the second party in parliament,... |
220,835 | 1.7 | 23 |
| United Nationals Democracy Party | 182,752 | 1.5 | 1 |
| Rakhine Democratic League | 157,255 | 1.2 | 11 |
| Mon National Democratic Front | 135,874 | 1.1 | 5 |
| National Democratic Party for Human Rights | 128,129 | 1.0 | 4 |
| Democracy Party | 63,387 | 0.5 | 1 |
| Party for National Democracy | 61,791 | 0.5 | 3 |
| Chin National League for Democracy | 51,277 | 0.4 | 3 |
| Union Paoh National Organisation | 43,214 | 0.3 | 3 |
| Arkan People's Democratic Front | 31,620 | 0.3 | 0 |
| Union Danu League for Democracy Party | 23,145 | 0.2 | 1 |
| Ta-ang National League for Democracy | 22,223 | 0.2 | 2 |
| Democratic Organisation for Kayah National Unity | 16,580 | 0.1 | 2 |
| Lahu National Development Party | 15,794 | 0.1 | 1 |
| Kachin State National Congress for Democracy | 13,994 | 0.1 | 3 |
| Mro (Khami) National Solidarity Organisation | 12,578 | 0.1 | 1 |
| Zomi National Congress Zomi National Congress The Zomi National Congress is the name of a political party in Burma, registered in 1988. It was permitted to function as a political organization until 1992, when the Burma military government abolished the party, and banned it from all political activities... |
12,372 | 0.1 | 2 |
| Kaya State Nationalities League for Democracy | 11,664 | 0.1 | 2 |
| Naga Hills Regional Progressive Party | 10,612 | 0.1 | 2 |
| Kaman National League for Democracy | 10,596 | 0.1 | 1 |
| Graduates and Old Students Democratic Association | 10,508 | 0.1 | 1 |
| United Nationalities League for Democracy | 8,929 | 0.1 | 1 |
| Shan State Kokango Democratic Party | 7,392 | 0.1 | 1 |
| Karen State National Organisation | 6,401 | 0.1 | 1 |
| Mara People's Party | 592,958 | 4.5 | 1 |
| Patriotic Old Comrades' League | 1 | ||
| 61 other parties | 0 | ||
| Independents | 151,763 | 1.1 | 6 |
| Vacant | |||
| 7 | |||
| Invalid/blank votes | 1,865,918 | ||
| Total | 15,112,524 | 100 | 492 |
| Source: Nohlen et al. | |||
Aftermath
Initially, the junta said it would honour the results of the election, but would not relinquish power until a new constitution had been drafted, which could take up to two years. However later the government, surprised at the outcome, annulled the results and many opposition politicians went into exileExile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
, with some forming the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma is an administration claimed to be the government in exile of Burma. It has its headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, United States...
. Two months after the election, the SLORC issued Order 1/90, explaining it had legitimacy to rule as it was recognised by the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and individual countries, as well as ensuring it would prevent the breakup of the Union. It required all parties to recognise and accept the Order, and many opposition figures who refused were arrested.