Burmese by-elections, 2012

On April 1, 2012 45 of the 664 seats in total comprehensive public meeting of Myanmar were reassigned in by-elections in Myanmar. Even if the outcome of the elections did not affect the distribution of power in Parliament, they were regarded as a significant step in the reform course of President Thein Sein, as the first time took part again in elections since 1990, the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD ). In particular, the candidacy of the Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi has received international attention.

Official election results should not be published until a week after the ballot, but the NLD declared immediately after the completion of the ballot that Suu Kyi had won their constituency with a clear majority. The newly elected deputies move up for parliamentarians who have moved into government since the parliamentary elections of 7 November 2010.

Starting position

Myanmar, the former Burma has been controlled since 1962 by a military junta. Riots in August 1988 led to the fall of longtime dictator Ne Win, who was replaced by the military-controlled " State Council for the restoration of law and order." The Council of State was 1990, free elections conducted, but then did not recognize the election victory of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD ). In the following years, the opposition movement was suppressed, the junta was accused of numerous human rights violations.

After years of isolation, the State Council approved a seven-point plan for the gradual restoration of democracy in 2003. In May 2008 a new constitution was adopted 7 November 2010 found for the first time since 1990 general elections in Myanmar instead. These elections, however, were neither free nor fair, part of the parliamentary seats remained representatives of the military reserved. Opposition as the Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who previously were under house arrest or were detained were excluded from the elections, which is why the democratic opposition boycotted the parliamentary elections in part.

On February 4, 2011, the People's Assembly of Myanmar chose the former general and Prime Minister Thein Sein as the new president. With him was the first time since 1962, a civilian again to the state before. Under Thein Sein the Myanmar government accelerated its reform path. Many political prisoners were released, the governance sought dialogue with the opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Connected to the reforms within the country were efforts to normalize political and economic relations with foreign countries. Above all, the United States supports Thein Sein's reform path, as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited in December 2011, Myanmar.

By-elections

The political reforms in Myanmar led to the 2010 prohibited NLD received their re- approval in November 2011. This was the leading opposition force taking part in elections, which should serve to fill 48 vacant seats new in the three chambers of the National Assembly. Former Board members had resigned from the parliament after they had taken over government posts; under the Constitution, members of the government may not be a member of Parliament at the same time. As election date April 1, 2012 has been set. Aung San Suu Kyi announced to run for these elections. The government made Suu Kyi then with a successful entry into parliament a government official in view.

Unlike in the parliamentary elections of 2010, the Burmese government allowed to independent election observers for the elections from abroad. The governance responded with this concession to the opposition complaints about disability her campaign. Among others, representatives of the United States, the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ASEAN were invited to observe the elections.

A total of 168 candidates from 17 parties and eight non-party competed for the 48 mandates. A week before the scheduled election date, however, the vote was canceled in Kachin State in northern Myanmar because, given ongoing conflicts with rebels of the Karen National Union proper conduct of the elections could not be guaranteed. Thus, it was decided April 1, 2012 only on the re-allocation of 45 seats in Parliament.

Despite the irregularities election observers have been criticized in the run up to the ballot. Electoral rolls were outdated, the work of the NLD has been systematically obstructed by the local authorities and campaigners were attacked. On election day reports via manipulated with wax ballot accumulated. The Secretary-General of ASEAN said, however, that the by-elections on the whole, are going well. Also the posted as election observers Human Rights Commissioner of the German Federal Government, Markus Loening, saw the conduct of the elections as " very neat " to, there was no evidence of central manipulations.

Election results

Official election results are not expected until several days after the ballot, the NLD has already published the night after the election intermediate results. It is expected a clear victory for the leading opposition party NLD, in a newly registered voter survey in the last week before the election declared 60% of respondents to vote for the NLD. The close to the regime Union Solidarity and Development Party, which is the largest party in all chambers of the Parliament, was supported by 32 % of respondents.

According to the NLD, Aung San Suu Kyi has won her constituency with 82 % of votes.

International reactions

The elections have a symbolic effect for the democratization process in Myanmar. With 45 of the 664 seats in the two chambers of the National Assembly, only a small proportion will be filled, therefore, the rulers, who until now control 80 % of the seats, do not lose their majority by these by-elections. However, the normalization of relations with Myanmar's western industrial nations with the course and the outcome of the elections is connected, the European Union introduced a relaxation of its economic sanctions after the elections in view.

Representative of the U.S. Campaign for Burma complained that the by-elections by the government be exploited to achieve the fastest possible lifting of sanctions without democracy in Myanmar will really strengthened. Aung San Suu Kyi was doing a "strategic symbiosis " with the regime received. Your choice in the People's Assembly will contribute to national reconciliation, but she could of exile Burmese Maung Zarni opinion also lead to international recognition of the regime.