2010 Burmese general election

2010 Burmese general election
File:State seal of Myanmar.png: Unknown authorUnknown author derivative work: Ph · Public domain · source
Name	2010 Burmese general election
Country	Myanmar
Type	parliamentary
Election date	7 November 2010
Previous election	1990 Burmese general election
Next election	2015 Burmese general election

2010 Burmese general election was the first nationwide poll in Myanmar since the 1990 1990 Burmese general election and marked a major event in the transition overseen by the State Peace and Development Council and the Union Solidarity and Development Party. The vote involved contests for the Pyithu Hluttaw and the Amyotha Hluttaw as well as regional assemblies, and it preceded constitutional provisions that reserved seats for the Tatmadaw (Myanmar) and created a powerful President of Myanmar. International observers, opposition figures, and ethnic parties disputed the credibility of the process and outcomes.

Background

The election followed the adoption of the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar drafted under the State Peace and Development Council leadership of Senior General Than Shwe and influenced by advisers connected to the Union Solidarity and Development Association which later transformed into the Union Solidarity and Development Party. The 2007 Saffron Revolution protests involving monk-led demonstrations and the detention of activists such as Aung San Suu Kyi prompted international sanctions from entities including the United States Department of State, the European Union, and the United Nations Security Council members who debated responses in New York City. The military-drafted constitution reserved 25% of seats for the Tatmadaw (Myanmar) and barred persons with foreign family members from the presidency, a clause affecting Aung San Suu Kyi directly. Regional conflicts with groups like the Karen National Union, the Kachin Independence Organisation, and the United Wa State Army continued to shape the political landscape.

Electoral System and Legal Framework

The legal framework derived from the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar and laws promulgated by the Union Election Commission (Myanmar), headed by officials appointed by the State Peace and Development Council. The bicameral Pyidaungsu Hluttaw comprises the Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives) and the Amyotha Hluttaw (House of Nationalities). The constitution's reserved military quotas, candidate eligibility rules, and constituency delineation influenced party strategies for the National League for Democracy-aligned organizations and the Union Solidarity and Development Party. Election law changes affected registration of parties such as the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party, the Arakan League for Democracy, and smaller ethnic entities including the Lahu National Development Party. The Union Election Commission (Myanmar) set dates, voter lists, and ballot procedures amid criticism from rights organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

Campaign and Candidates

Campaign activity featured the Union Solidarity and Development Party's mass mobilization leveraging former Union Solidarity and Development Association networks, veteran politicians including Thein Sein, and candidates from the Tatmadaw community. Prominent opposition figures such as Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD were barred, leading to candidacies by splinter groups and proxies. Ethnic parties such as the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party, the Kayin People's Party, and the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party fielded candidates alongside minor parties like the Democratic Party (Myanmar) and the Union Democratic Party. Parliamentary hopefuls included former ministers, local notables, and ex-military officials; their messages referenced the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar, economic development, and peace negotiations with organizations like the Karen National Union and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). International actors including the United States Department of State, the European Union, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations monitored developments while civil society groups such as the Myanmar Council of Churches and the All Burma Students' Democratic Front voiced concerns.

Election Day and Administration

Voting on 7 November 2010 was administered by the Union Election Commission (Myanmar) with security provided by Tatmadaw (Myanmar) units and local police forces. Ballot procedures used single-member constituencies under plurality rules for the Pyithu Hluttaw and multi-seat arrangements for the Amyotha Hluttaw with administrative oversight in regions and states including Yangon Region, Mandalay Region, Kachin State, Rakhine State, and Shan State. International observation was limited; delegations from some ASEAN members, the Czech Republic, and other governments attended, while major bodies such as the European Union and the United Nations declined full missions. Reports from domestic monitors, journalists from outlets like The Irrawaddy and Mizzima News, and human rights organizations documented irregularities, restricted access for the NLD-affiliated supporters, and logistical challenges across townships like Taunggyi, Mawlamyine, and Myitkyina.

Results and Seat Allocation

Official results released by the Union Election Commission (Myanmar) declared a decisive victory for the Union Solidarity and Development Party across the Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw, with the party capturing a majority of contested seats alongside the 25% military appointees. The NUP and various ethnic parties such as the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party obtained smaller representation in regional assemblies. Seat allocation across constituencies in Yangon Region, Mandalay Region, Bago Region, Ayeyarwady Region, and ethnic states produced a legislature that enabled the selection of a president under the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar framework, contributing to a political configuration that included figures like Thein Sein.

Domestic and International Reactions

Domestic reactions included acceptance by supporters of the Union Solidarity and Development Party and rejection by opposition groups including statements from persons associated with the National League for Democracy (Myanmar). Ethnic parties and civil society organizations such as the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army-linked groups criticized the process. International responses varied: the United States Department of State and the European Union questioned the fairness of the election and maintained sanctions, while some ASEAN members and countries including China and India engaged pragmatically with the new administration. Non-governmental organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International condemned irregularities and restrictions on political freedoms.

Aftermath and Political Impact

Following the election, a new legislative session convened in which the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and the President of Myanmar selection process under the 2008 Constitution of Myanmar brought Thein Sein to the presidency, initiating a period of controlled reforms. The post-election environment saw the partial release of political prisoners, tentative engagement with the European Union leading to eased sanctions, and ongoing negotiations with ethnic armed organizations including the Kachin Independence Organisation and the Karen National Union. The legacy of the vote influenced the trajectory toward the 2015 Burmese general election, the activities of the National League for Democracy (Myanmar), and international policies by actors such as the United States Department of State and the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Category:Elections in Myanmar Category:2010 elections