Myanmar: From Elections to Formation of the New Government
by C. S. Kuppuswamy
“Most likely is that Myanmar will become an example of the “new normal politics” in Southeast Asia — a hybrid regime, with an elected executive, powerful military, and deeply entrenched elites dominant in much of politics and, particularly, the economy.” – Ashley South, Nikkei Asian Review – March 19, 2016.
( March 25, 2016, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) The fact that Myanmar is moving towards a full-fledged democracy is evident from, the free and fair elections conducted in November 2015, the military’s nod for a civilian government and the election of Htin Kyaw, a civilian, as president on 15 March 2016 after over five decades of military and quasi-military rule. However, the Tatmadaw (armed forces) continues to have a firm grip over the administration, with an ex-general as a vice-president, with 25% of the seats in both houses of parliament for the military men in uniform and with three ministers for the Home Affairs, Defence and Border affairs nominated by the Commander-in-Chief from among the military personnel.
The elections were held on 08 November 2015 in a free and fair manner with observers from both international and domestic organisations to monitor the elections. The main opposition party, National League for Democracy (NLD), under the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi had a land slide victory by securing over 75% of the elected seats in both houses of parliament. It had also dominated the seven (Bamar majority) regional parliaments and five of the seven ethnic predominant states.
Myanmar is perhaps the only country where there is a long gap (over 4 months) between the elections and the date when the new government takes over. The new parliament was convened on 01 February 2016 and the new government takes over on 01 April 2016.
Keeping in mind the events in 1990 when the election results were annulled by the military, Aung San Suu Kyi, on achieving a resounding victory in the 2015 elections, repeatedly said that she is looking for a ‘national reconciliation’ government and her party will not be seeking revenge for all that the party had suffered at the hands of the military junta since 1990. With this aim in view she had meetings with President Thein Sein, C-in-C Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the powerful erstwhile military ruler Sr. Gen. Than Shwe and the lower house speaker Thura Shwe Mann during the period of over two months (since the election results were announced) for a smooth transfer of power.
( March 25, 2016, New Delhi, Sri Lanka Guardian) The fact that Myanmar is moving towards a full-fledged democracy is evident from, the free and fair elections conducted in November 2015, the military’s nod for a civilian government and the election of Htin Kyaw, a civilian, as president on 15 March 2016 after over five decades of military and quasi-military rule. However, the Tatmadaw (armed forces) continues to have a firm grip over the administration, with an ex-general as a vice-president, with 25% of the seats in both houses of parliament for the military men in uniform and with three ministers for the Home Affairs, Defence and Border affairs nominated by the Commander-in-Chief from among the military personnel.
The elections were held on 08 November 2015 in a free and fair manner with observers from both international and domestic organisations to monitor the elections. The main opposition party, National League for Democracy (NLD), under the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi had a land slide victory by securing over 75% of the elected seats in both houses of parliament. It had also dominated the seven (Bamar majority) regional parliaments and five of the seven ethnic predominant states.
Myanmar is perhaps the only country where there is a long gap (over 4 months) between the elections and the date when the new government takes over. The new parliament was convened on 01 February 2016 and the new government takes over on 01 April 2016.
Keeping in mind the events in 1990 when the election results were annulled by the military, Aung San Suu Kyi, on achieving a resounding victory in the 2015 elections, repeatedly said that she is looking for a ‘national reconciliation’ government and her party will not be seeking revenge for all that the party had suffered at the hands of the military junta since 1990. With this aim in view she had meetings with President Thein Sein, C-in-C Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the powerful erstwhile military ruler Sr. Gen. Than Shwe and the lower house speaker Thura Shwe Mann during the period of over two months (since the election results were announced) for a smooth transfer of power.
