1990 Burmese general election

1990 Burmese general election was a significant event in the history of Myanmar, also known as Burma, where the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, Tin Oo, and Kyaw Maung, competed against the National Unity Party (NUP), which was the successor to the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) of Ne Win. The election was held on May 27, 1990, and was observed by the United Nations, European Union, and other international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Non-Aligned Movement also closely monitored the election.

Background

The 1990 Burmese general election was held in the aftermath of the 8888 Uprising, a nationwide protest against the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) government, which was led by Ne Win. The uprising was brutally suppressed by the Tatmadaw, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people, including student leaders and pro-democracy activists. The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), led by Saw Maung, took power and promised to hold free and fair elections. The National League for Democracy (NLD) was formed in 1988 by Aung San Suu Kyi, Tin Oo, and Kyaw Maung, and quickly gained popularity across the country, with support from the All Burma Federation of Student Unions and the All Burma Buddhist Association. The NLD's campaign was closely watched by international organizations, including the Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch.

Conduct of the election

The election was conducted on May 27, 1990, with over 90 parties participating, including the National League for Democracy (NLD), the National Unity Party (NUP), and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy. The election was observed by the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division and the European Union Election Observation Mission. The International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute also sent observer teams to monitor the election. Despite the presence of international observers, the election was marred by allegations of voter intimidation and electoral fraud, with reports of Tatmadaw personnel and Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) members intimidating voters and manipulating the electoral process. The Myanmar Red Cross Society and the Myanmar Medical Association provided medical assistance to voters and observers.

Results

The results of the election were a landslide victory for the National League for Democracy (NLD), which won 392 out of 492 seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (People's Assembly). The National Unity Party (NUP) won only 10 seats, while the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy won 23 seats. The NLD's victory was seen as a significant blow to the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and the Tatmadaw, which had expected to win the election. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union congratulated the NLD on its victory, while the United States and the United Kingdom called for the SLORC to respect the results of the election. The Chinese government and the Indian government also issued statements on the election results.

Aftermath

Despite the NLD's victory, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) refused to recognize the results of the election and instead imposed martial law on the country. The SLORC arrested many NLD leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, Tin Oo, and Kyaw Maung, and banned the party from participating in politics. The Tatmadaw also launched a crackdown on pro-democracy activists and student leaders, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people. The International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees provided humanitarian assistance to those affected by the crackdown. The European Union and the United States imposed economic sanctions on Myanmar in response to the SLORC's actions.

Legacy

The 1990 Burmese general election is seen as a significant event in the history of Myanmar, marking a turning point in the country's struggle for democracy and human rights. The election results were never recognized by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), which instead imposed a military dictatorship on the country. The National League for Democracy (NLD) continued to advocate for democracy and human rights, with Aung San Suu Kyi becoming a prominent international figure and winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. The Saffron Revolution in 2007 and the 2010 Burmese general election were also significant events in the country's struggle for democracy. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union continue to play important roles in promoting democracy and human rights in Myanmar. The United Nations and the International Labour Organization have also been involved in efforts to promote human rights and democracy in the country. Category: Elections in Myanmar