1928 Burmese general election explained

Country:Burma
Type:parliamentary
Flag Year:1937
Previous Election:1925 Burmese general election
Previous Year:1925
Next Election:1932 Burmese general election
Next Year:1932
Seats For Election:80 of the 103 seats in the Legislative Council
Turnout:18%
Election Date:November 1928

Legislative Council elections were held in Burma in November 1928. Despite expectations that pro-government candidates would win, the result was a victory for the opposition, which won 45 of the 80 elected seats. However, the People's Party, the largest opposition party, was unable to form a government. Instead, the pro-British Independent Party formed the government.

Electoral system

The Legislative Council had 80 elected members, who were elected in 72 constituencies.[1] Around 55% of the adult population of the country was eligible to vote in the elections.[1] Women remained barred from standing as candidates, provoking a public protest by women at the Secretariat.[1]

Results

Opposition parties won 45 seats, with the People's Party receiving the most votes.[2] Sixteen independents were elected, of whom nine were thought to be pro-opposition.[3] The pro-government parties and independents lost eight seats.[3]

Voter turnout was only 18%.[4]

Notes and References

  1. "Simon Commission In Burma. Women And Public Life" The Times, 1 February 1929, p11, Issue 45116
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20151126055217/http://election.irrawaddy.org/analysis/95-here-today-gone-tomorrow.html Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
  3. "Burmese Elections. Gains By The Opposition", The Times, 15 November 1928, p15, Issue 45051
  4. Robert H Taylor (2009) The State in Myanmar NUS Press, p185