2015 Burmese general election

2015 Burmese general election was a significant event in the history of Myanmar, marking a crucial step towards democratization after decades of rule by the State Peace and Development Council. The election was held on November 8, 2015, with the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi competing against the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) backed by Thein Sein. The election was observed by the European Union, United States, and other international organizations, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations.

Background

The 2015 Burmese general election was the first general election in Myanmar since the 2011–2012 Myanmar political reforms, which led to the establishment of a quasi-civilian government. The Tatmadaw, the military of Myanmar, had ruled the country since the 1962 Burmese coup led by Ne Win. The National League for Democracy (NLD) had won the 1990 Burmese general election, but the results were annulled by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). The NLD was led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who had been under house arrest for many years, including during the Saffron Revolution and the 2007 Burmese anti-government protests. The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) was formed by the Tatmadaw in 2010 and was led by Thein Sein, who had served as the Prime Minister of Myanmar from 2007 to 2011.

Campaign

The campaign for the 2015 Burmese general election began in August 2015, with the NLD and USDP being the main contenders. The NLD campaigned on a platform of democratization, human rights, and economic development, with Aung San Suu Kyi as its leader. The USDP, on the other hand, campaigned on a platform of stability and continuity, with Thein Sein as its leader. Other parties, including the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy and the Rakhine National Party, also participated in the election. The campaign was marked by a significant increase in social media usage, with Facebook and Twitter being used by candidates and parties to reach out to voters. The International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute provided technical assistance to the election commission and civil society organizations.

Conduct

The 2015 Burmese general election was conducted by the Union Election Commission (UEC), which was established in 2010. The UEC was responsible for organizing and conducting the election, including voter registration, candidate nomination, and vote counting. The election was observed by domestic and international observers, including the European Union Election Observation Mission and the Carter Center. The observers reported that the election was generally free and fair, but there were some irregularities and concerns about the transparency of the vote counting process. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations Development Programme also provided technical assistance to the UEC.

Results

The results of the 2015 Burmese general election were announced on November 13, 2015, with the NLD winning a landslide victory. The NLD won 255 seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives) and 135 seats in the Amyotha Hluttaw (House of Nationalities). The USDP won 30 seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw and 12 seats in the Amyotha Hluttaw. The NLD also won the majority of seats in the state and regional parliaments. Aung San Suu Kyi was elected as a member of the Pyithu Hluttaw from the Kawhmu Township constituency. The results were recognized by the international community, including the United States, European Union, and China.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the 2015 Burmese general election saw the NLD forming a government, with Htin Kyaw as the President of Myanmar and Aung San Suu Kyi as the State Counsellor of Myanmar. The NLD government faced significant challenges, including the Rohingya conflict and the Kachin conflict. The government also established a number of commissions, including the Myanmar Investment Commission and the National Reconciliation and Peace Center. The Tatmadaw continued to play a significant role in the country's politics, with the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services having a significant amount of power. The International Crisis Group and the Human Rights Watch continued to monitor the human rights situation in Myanmar.

Reactions

The 2015 Burmese general election was widely welcomed by the international community, with the United States, European Union, and China congratulating the NLD on its victory. The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also congratulated the people of Myanmar on the successful conduct of the election. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the East Asia Summit also welcomed the election results. However, the Tatmadaw and the USDP were criticized for their role in the election, with some observers expressing concerns about the transparency of the vote counting process. The Human Rights Watch and the Amnesty International also expressed concerns about the human rights situation in Myanmar, including the treatment of the Rohingya people and the Kachin people. The European Parliament and the United States Congress also passed resolutions congratulating the NLD on its victory and calling for further democratization in Myanmar. Category:2015 elections