2012 Myanmar by-elections explained

Election Name:2012 Myanmar by-election
Country:Myanmar
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:2010 Myanmar general election
Previous Year:2010
Next Election:2015 Myanmar general election
Next Year:2015
Seats For Election:40 (of the 440) seats to the Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives)
6 (of the 224) seats to the Amyotha Hluttaw (House of Nationalities)
2 seats to Regional Parliaments
Election Date:1 April 2012
Leader1:Thein Sein
Party1:Union Solidarity and Development Party
Leaders Seat1:Did not contest
Seats Before1:260 R / 128 N
Seats After1:220 R / 123 N
Seat Change1:40 R / 5 N
Leader2:Aung San Suu Kyi
Party2:National League for Democracy
Leaders Seat2:Kawhmu (Pyithu)
Seats Before2:0 R / 1 N
Seats After2:37 R / 5 N
Seat Change2:37 R / 4 N
Leader3:Sai Ai Pao
Party3:Shan Nationalities Democratic Party
Leaders Seat3:Did not contest
Seats Before3:18 R / 3 N
Seats After3:18 R / 4 N
Seat Change3: R / 1 N

The 2012 Myanmar by-elections were held on 1 April 2012.[1] The elections were held to fill 48 vacant parliamentary seats.[2] [3] Three of those remained vacant as polling in three Kachin constituencies was postponed. There was no plan to fill the additional five seats cancelled in the 2010 election and one seat vacated after the death of a RNDP member.[4]

The main opposition party National League for Democracy was re-registered for the by-elections on 13 December 2011 as part of the reforms in Burma since 2010. It won in 43 of the 44 seats they contested (out of 45 available).[5] Its leader Aung San Suu Kyi ran for the seat of Kawhmu,[6] and won.

Changes during the term of office

House of Representatives

House of Nationalities

Election observers

In February 2012, President Thein Sein remarked that the government would "seriously consider" allowing Southeast Asian observers from the Association of South East Asian Nations to observe the election.[9] The Burmese government confirmed that it had requested for ASEAN election observers to arrive on 28 March, five days before the election.[10] Canada, United States, European Union, China, and North Korea, as well as ASEAN dialogue partners (India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and Australia), were also invited to observe the election, although it remained unclear the degree of access these international observers were to have.[11] [12] The United States sent two election observers and three journalists.[13]

On 13 March 2012, the Union Election Commission approved political party monitors to monitor polling stations during the election.[14] In the previous election, only Union Solidarity and Development Party monitors had been allowed to observe the elections and ballot counts.[14] A civilian-led monitoring group, including members of the 88 Generation Students Group, also scrutinised election irregularities.[15]

On 28 March 2012, Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade sent a delegation consisting of Senator Consiglio Di Nino and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Deepak Obhrai.[16]

Pre-election controversies

Aung Din of the US Campaign for Burma said that the Burmese government was exploiting the elections to have international economic sanctions lifted as quickly as possible, since a free and transparent election had been one of the conditions set by the European Union and American governments.[11] Moreover, the National League for Democracy has pointed out irregularities in voter lists and rule violations by local election committees.[17] On 21 March 2012, Aung San Suu Kyi was quoted as saying "Fraud and rule violations are continuing and we can even say they are increasing."[17]

With regard to the invitations of international election observers, a US State Department spokesperson said that the Burmese government fell short of expectations to accommodate observers during the entirety of the campaign season (as typically done), which is nearing the end, as a select number of observers were allowed only to observe the election:[18] [19]

Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), a Bangkok-based election monitoring organisation, has publicly called the election observations inadequate, failing to meet international standards, being too restrictive (only two observers are allowed per government, or five for ASEAN nations), and coming too late (invitations were sent less than two weeks before the election date), all of which make it logistically impossible to monitor all 48 polling stations.[20] On 20 March 2012, Somsri Hananuntasuk, executive director of ANFREL, was deported from Yangon, purportedly for entering the country on a tourist visa.[21]

On 23 March 2012, the three by-elections in Kachin State, namely in the constituencies of Mogaung, Hpakant and Bhamo Townships, were postponed due to the security situation there.[22] [23]

Two days before the by-elections, at press conference, Suu Kyi remarked that the voter irregularities were "beyond what is acceptable for democratic elections," said she did not consider the campaign "genuinely free and fair" and referred to acts of intimidation (such as stone-throwing incidents and vandalism) toward party members.[24] [25] On 1 April, the opposition National League for Democracy alleged irregularities, claiming that ballot sheets had been tampered to allow the election commission to cancel the vote for Suu Kyi's party.[26]

Two Australian MPs (Janelle Saffin and Mathias Cormann), who were selected to observe the by-elections as part of Australia's monitoring team, were denied visas to enter the country.[27]

Aftermath

Much of the international reaction on the by-elections revolved around the sanctions imposed by Western countries (including the United States, Australia, and the European Union). President Thein Sein and the Burmese government were eager to work with Aung San Suu Kyi to remove these measures.[28]

President Thein Sein remarked that the by-elections were conducted "in a very successful manner."[29]

The Union Solidarity and Development Party said it would lodge official complaints to the Union Election Commission on poll irregularities, voter intimidation, and purported campaign incidents that involved National League for Democracy members and supporters.[30] [31] The National League for Democracy also sent an official complaint to the commission, regarding ballots that it claimed had been tampered with wax.[32]

In response to the by-elections, a Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said:[33]

ASEAN leaders, including those from Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia, called for the immediate removal of sanctions.[34] Singapore's Prime Minister said the following: "President Thein Sein has been much bolder than many observers have expected. ASEAN is happy that Myanmar has been able to take these steps forward."[35] Australia's foreign minister, Bob Carr, said the Australian government was planning to loosen sanctions, but not abolish them altogether.[36]

US Senator John McCain, who had met with Aung San Suu Kyi in January 2012, said:[37] [38]

On 4 April 2012, the Obama administration announced that it would nominate an ambassador to the country and ease some travel and finance restrictions, without specifying a time table.[39] Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said of the elections:[40]

To normalise diplomatic relations between the countries, she also said that following the nomination of an ambassador, the US would establish USAID mission in Burma, ease restrictions on export of finance services and developmental assistance and facilitate travel for some government officials, although targeted sanctions toward "individuals and institutions that remain on the wrong side of these historic reform efforts" would remain in place.[40] A few sanctions (in the financial, agriculture, tourism and telecommunications sectors), are directly controlled by the executive branch, but most of the imposed sanctions were legislated by Congress, and were to take a lengthy process to remove.[41] On 6 April 2012, the Obama administration nominated Derek Mitchell, who was then serving as the American special envoy to Burma, as United States Ambassador to Burma.[42]

The European Union, which had already eased some sanctions and travel restrictions (including on Thein Sein), agreed to review travel bans and asset freezes on individuals tied to the previous ruling junta, the State Peace and Development Council on 23 April 2012.[43] UK Foreign Secretary William Hague suggested that easing of restrictions would be contingent on the release of political prisoners and further progress.[44]

Other scholars noted that the by-elections, which were a relatively minor event, given the number of seats at stake, were not as defining and important as other steps toward national reconciliation.[45] Some called removal of sanctions premature, while others considered sanctions ineffective in the reform process.[45]

Results

House of Nationalities

Six of the 224 seats in the Amyotha Hluttaw (House of Nationalities) were up for election. A by-election was not held in one remaining vacant seat, with this seat instead continuing to remain vacant until the 2015 General Election.

Party Votes Votes % Seats Won Seats % Change Seats Before Seats After[46]
4 66.6 4 1 5
1 16.7 5 128 123
0 0
0 0
0 0
1 16.7 1 3 4
0 0
Vacant 0 0 1 1
Total 100 6 100 224 224
Source: ALTSEAN Burma

House of Representatives

37 of the 440 seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives) were up for election. By-elections were not held in seven remaining vacant seats, with these seats instead continuing to remain vacant until the 2015 General Election.

|-| style="text-align:left;" colspan="2"|Total||40|| || || ||100||100|| |||-| style="text-align:left;" colspan="10"|Source: ALTSEAN Burma|-

State and Regional Hluttaws

2 of the 860 seats in the State and Regional Hluttaws were up for election.

|-| colspan=2|Total||2|| || || ||100|| || |||-| style="text-align:left;" colspan="10"|Source:[47] |-

By Constituency

House of Nationalities (Amyotha Hluttaw)

Ayeyarwady Region

Pyapon and Dedaye Townships make up Constituency No. 10.

Bago Region

Oktwin and Htantabin Townships make up Constituency No. 7.

Sagaing Region

Kanbalu, Kyunhla, Ye-U and Taze Townships make up Constituency No. 3.

Banmauk, Kawlin, Wuntho and Pinlebu Townships make up Constituency No. 7.

Shan State

Lashio, Tangyan, Mongyai, Hsenwi and Kunlong Townships make up Constituency No. 3.

House of Representatives (Pyithu Hluttaw)

Yangon Region

Regional Parliaments

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Electoral Calendar – international elections world elections . 12 May 2011 . 26 May 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110526192300/http://www.mherrera.org/elections.htm . live .
  2. News: High stakes in Myanmar election. Aela. Callan. 29 March 2012. Al Jazeera. 2 April 2012. 16 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190616105404/https://www.aljazeera.com/video/asia-pacific/2012/03/2012329184512429532.html. live.
  3. News: Myanmar sets by-election date. Hla Hla Htay. 30 December 2011. AFP. 15 March 2012. https://archive.today/20120604051124/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hgbHIX2zt3sT0p0HfJA2YoIgPxYw?docId=CNG.30b3d6dd8339de2bcb1a783e5b922d18.751. 2012-06-04. Alt URL
  4. Web site: People's Assembly – Overview – Parliament Watch . ALTSEAN Burma . 2015-11-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151205095943/http://www.altsean.org/Research/Parliament%20Watch/Legislative/Peoples%20Assembly/Overview.php . 5 December 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
  5. News: Myanmar confirms sweeping election victory for Suu Kyi's party. Kocha Olarn. CNN. 2012-04-04. 2015-11-23. 26 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151126024144/http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/04/world/asia/myanmar-elections/. live.
  6. News: Aung San Suu Kyi registers for Burma election run. 18 January 2012. BBC News. 15 March 2012. 18 January 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120118174259/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16606608. live.
  7. Web site: People's Assembly – MPs – Parliament Watch . ALTSEAN Burma . 2015-11-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151204052308/http://www.altsean.org/Research/Parliament%20Watch/Legislative/Peoples%20Assembly/MPs.php . 4 December 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
  8. Web site: National Assembly – Overview – Parliament Watch . ALTSEAN Burma . 2015-11-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120719183759/http://www.altsean.org/Research/Parliament%20Watch/Legislative/National%20Assembly/Overview.php . 19 July 2012 . dead . dmy-all .
  9. News: Myanmar says will consider ASEAN poll observers. Petty. Martin. 21 February 2012. Reuters. 15 March 2012. 3 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160203015439/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-election-idUSTRE81K0GK20120221. live.
  10. News: Burma gets ASEAN poll monitor boost. 20 March 2012. Democratic Voice of Burma. 20 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120325100147/http://www.dvb.no/news/burma-gets-asean-poll-monitor-boost/20949. 25 March 2012. dead. dmy-all.
  11. News: Myanmar will allow US, EU monitors for April vote. Sopheng Cheang. 21 March 2012. Associated Press. 7 November 2015. 14 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151114034617/http://news.yahoo.com/myanmar-allow-us-eu-monitors-april-vote-144855008.html. live.
  12. News: Burma invites US and EU observers to April by-elections. 21 March 2012. BBC News. 22 March 2012. 21 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120321205528/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17455883. live.
  13. News: US Accepts Burma's Invitation to Observe April 1 Vote. 21 March 2012. Voice of America. 22 March 2012. 30 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120330023001/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/asia/US-Accepts-Burmas-Invitation-to-Observe-April-Vote-143686666.html. live.
  14. News: UEC okays poll monitors. Shwe Aung. 14 March 2012. Democratic Voice of Burma. 15 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120318043525/http://www.dvb.no/news/uec-okays-poll-monitors/20768. 18 March 2012. dead. dmy-all.
  15. News: Citizens to Monitor Elections. 23 March 2012. Radio Free Asia. 24 March 2012. 11 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190911194845/https://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/monitor-03232012154753.html. live.
  16. Web site: Canada Sends Witnesses to Burmese By-Elections. Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. 7 April 2012. 28 March 2012. 13 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121013064439/http://www.international.gc.ca/media/aff/news-communiques/2012/03/28a.aspx?lang=eng&view=d. live.
  17. News: Western Election Observers Invited. 21 March 2012. Radio Free Asia. 22 March 2012.
  18. News: Good First Step, But Short of Complete Transparency: US. https://web.archive.org/web/20120322143844/http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=23261. dead. 22 March 2012. Kha. Lalit K.. 22 March 2012. The Irrawaddy. 24 March 2012.
  19. Web site: Daily Press Briefing. Nuland. Victoria. 21 March 2012. US Department of State. 24 March 2012. Washington, DC. 27 November 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201127084205/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2012/03/186587.htm#BURMA. live.
  20. News: Myanmar Election Observation Encouraging But Inadequate. 22 March 2012. Asian Network for Free Elections. 7 November 2015. Bangkok. 6 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120406160424/http://anfrel.org/myanmar-election-observation-encouraging-but-inadequate/. live.
  21. News: Is Burma's election monitoring a window-dressing?. Zin Linn. 23 March 2012. Asia Tribune. 24 March 2012. 24 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120324170957/http://www.asiantribune.com/news/2012/03/22/burma%E2%80%99s-election-monitoring-window-dressing. live.
  22. News: Burma postpones by-elections in troubled Kachin state. 23 March 2012. BBC News. 2 April 2012. 30 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120330154115/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17491613. live.
  23. News: Myanmar postpones vote in three of 48 constituencies because of security concerns. https://web.archive.org/web/20120324083002/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/myanmar-postpones-vote-in-3-of-48-constituencies-because-of-security-concerns/2012/03/23/gIQAJ7cfVS_story.html. 24 March 2012. 23 March 2012. Associated Press. 24 March 2012. dead.
  24. News: Aung San Suu Kyi: Burma election not 'free and fair'. 30 March 2012. BBC News. 6 April 2012. 3 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120403064341/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-17558542. live.
  25. News: Aung San Suu Kyi criticises Burmese election irregularities. Golluoglu. Esmer. 30 March 2012. The Guardian. 6 April 2012. London. 3 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160203015438/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/mar/30/aung-san-suu-kyi-burmese-elections?newsfeed=true. live.
  26. News: Myanmar opposition alleges ballot irregularities. Montreal Gazette. 1 April 2012.
  27. News: Australian monitors denied visas ahead of polls. Hindstrom. Hanna. 30 March 2012. Democratic Voice of Burma. 6 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107052825/http://www.dvb.no/news/australian-monitors-denied-visa-ahead-of-polls/21144. 7 November 2012. dead. dmy-all.
  28. News: Sanctions Worked in Burma. 4 April 2012. Wall Street Journal. 5 April 2012.
  29. News: Myanmar leader praises by-elections that put Suu Kyi in office as 'successful'. 6 April 2012. Associated Press. 6 April 2012.
  30. News: Myanmar ruling party claims poll irregularities. 6 April 2012. Agence France-Presse. InterAksyon.com. 6 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120407021408/http://www.interaksyon.com/article/28768/myanmar-ruling-party-claims-poll-irregularities. 7 April 2012. dead. dmy-all.
  31. News: Aquino lauds Myanmar by-election. https://archive.today/20120907091330/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=793942&publicationSubCategoryId=200. dead. 7 September 2012. 2 April 2012. Xinhua. 6 April 2012.
  32. News: NLD files official complaint against ballot tampering. https://web.archive.org/web/20120401155159/http://mizzima.com/news/by-election-2012/6879-nld-files-official-complaint-against-ballot-tampering.html. dead. 1 April 2012. Ko Pauk. 1 April 2012. Mizzima. 6 April 2012.
  33. News: China calls for all Myanmar sanctions to go after poll. 5 April 2012. Reuters. 6 April 2012. Ben. Blanchard. 8 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130508164006/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/05/china-myanmar-idUSL3E8F50CR20120405. live.
  34. News: Southeast Asian leaders: Lift Myanmar sanctions. https://web.archive.org/web/20120407235530/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2012-04/D9TUFA0O0.htm. dead. 7 April 2012. 4 April 2012. Associated Press. Bloomberg. 7 November 2015. dmy-all.
  35. News: Singapore welcomes Myanmar's progress: PM. https://web.archive.org/web/20120407121418/http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120405-0000070/Singapore-welcomes-Myanmars-progress--PM. dead. 7 April 2012. Ramesh. S. 5 April 2012. Today. 5 April 2012. dmy-all.
  36. News: ASEAN leaders call for sanctions on Burma to be lifted. Murdoch. Lindsay. 5 April 2012. The Age. 5 April 2012. Melbourne. 27 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140327015954/http://www.theage.com.au/world/asean-leaders-call-for-sanctions-on-burma-to-be-lifted-20120404-1wd6p.html. live.
  37. News: McCain Calls for Lifting of Sanctions. https://web.archive.org/web/20120406140110/http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/1953. dead. 6 April 2012. Lalit K Jha. 4 April 2012. The Irrawaddy. 5 April 2012.
  38. News: Statement By Senator John McCain On Election In Burma. McCain. John. 3 April 2012. United States Senate. 5 April 2012. Washington, D.C.. 7 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120407212712/http://mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=7948a44d-af80-89dd-2292-175c349884e9. live.
  39. News: US eases some Myanmar restrictions. Lee. Matthew. 4 April 2012. Associated Press. Herald Tribune. 5 April 2012.
  40. News: Secretary Hillary Clinton On Recognizing And Supporting Burma's Democratic Reforms. Clinton. Hillary Rodham. 4 April 2012. U.S. Department of State. 5 April 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120409192701/http://www.humanrights.gov/2012/04/04/secretary-hillary-clinton-on-recognizing-and-supporting-burma%E2%80%99s-democratic-reforms/. 9 April 2012. dmy-all.
  41. News: U.S. Moves Toward Normalizing Relations With Myanmar. Myers. Steven Lee. Thomas Fuller. 4 April 2012. New York Times. 5 April 2012. 5 April 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120405183332/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/05/world/asia/myanmar-sanctions.html. live.
  42. News: US nominates first ambassador to Myanmar in years. Robinson. Gwen. 6 April 2012. Financial Times.
  43. News: EU likely to further eased sanctions on Myanmar : spokeswoman. 3 April 2012. Deutsche Presse Agentur. 5 April 2012. 3 January 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140103222301/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/EU-likely-to-further-eased-sanctions-on-Myanmar-sp-30179263.html. dead.
  44. News: Hague calls for gradual removal of sanctions. http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120407131957/http://www.mizzima.com/news/regional/6905-hague-calls-for-gradual-removal-of-sanctions.html. dead. 7 April 2012. 5 April 2012. Mizzima. 5 April 2012.
  45. News: Do Elections in Myanmar Signal Real Change?. https://web.archive.org/web/20121020043534/http://www.internationalpolicydigest.org/2012/04/04/do-elections-in-myanmar-signal-real-change/. dead. 20 October 2012. 4 April 2012. International Policy Digest. 5 April 2012.
  46. Web site: National Assembly – Overview – Parliament Watch . ALTSEAN Burma . https://web.archive.org/web/20120719183759/http://www.altsean.org/Research/Parliament%20Watch/Legislative/National%20Assembly/Overview.php . 2012-07-19 .
  47. Web site: Burma (Myanmar) by-elections 2012. glhermine. World Elections. 2012-04-06. 2015-11-23. 25 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151125012746/https://welections.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/burma-by-elections-2012/. live.

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