1990 Multi-Party Democracy General Elections

Compiled by ….. Khin Kyaw Han , MP-NLD , Yenangyaung (2)

The elections of 1990 are an important landmark in the modern history of Burma. After three decades... almost three decades...of military dictatorship , finally the people of Burma were going to be able to vote for a government of their choice. The elections of 1990 were free and fair. It was one of the freest and fairest that had taken place in this region at that time. But unfortunately , the results of the elections were not honoured.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Videotaped message presented at Capitol Hill ,
16 May 2000
1990
MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY
GENERAL
ELECTIONS
Compiled by
Khin Kyaw Han ,
MP-NLD ,
Yenangyaung (2)

1990 MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY GENERAL ELECTIONS

The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC)took power on 18 September 1988 after the series of brutal suppression in which thousands of demonstrators were killed.

On the 31 May 1989 , the State Law and Order Restoration Council enacted the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law “ In order to hold free and fair multi-party democracy general elections and to elect representatives of the Pyithu Hluttaw (People’s Assembly)“.

Elections for the Pyithu Hluttaw were held in Burma on 27 May 1990 following over two years of civil disturbance against the military’s rule.

Despite multi-party elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party (National League for Democracy)winning a decisive victory , the military junta ruling the country refused to hand over power.

Key opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi , under house arrest from 1989 to 1995 , was placed under virtual house arrest again in September 2000; her supporters were routinely harassed or jailed.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was released on 6 May 2002 after 19 months of house arrest.

CONTENTS

- General Statistics of Elections

- Candidates per Constituency

- Election Campaign Speeches

- Election Results of 93 Political Parties

- Summary of Constituencies

- Election Results of Winning Parties

Brief Biographies of Elected MPs

- KachinState

- KayahState

- KarenState

- ChinState

- Sagaing Division

- Tenasserim Division

- Pegu Division

- Magwe Division

- Mandalay Division

- MonState

- ArakanState

- Rangoon Division

- Shan State

- Irrawaddy Division

- MPs , Remained Behind Bars

- MPs , Living In Exile

- MPs , Died In Prison

- New Election Commission Formed

- Political Party Registration Law

- Organization Law

- Actually Registered Political Parties

Other Related Topics

- SLORC Policy Declaration (1/90)

- Gandhi Hall Declaration

- Election Tribunals

- Election Law Amended

- The So-Called National Convention

- Steering Committee Named

- The Principle Duty Of The National Convention

- The Eight Different Categories of National Convention Deligates

- SLORC Declaration No. 11/92 of 24 April 92

- SLORC Order No. 1/93 of 1 January 93

- The National Convention Delegates of National League for Democracy

- The Committee Representing People’s Parliament (CRPP)

- Anti-Subversion Law (5/96)

- Turning of a New Page

- The NLD’s 21-Point Resolution

- Back to the past today

- A Brief History of Political Activism in Burma

- UN special human rights rapporteurs on Burma

- UN special envoy on Burma

.

I would like the world community to firmly stand by the United Nations resolutions on Burma. The UN resolutions have clearly indicated that the people’s wishes as expressed by the results of the 1990 elections must be fulfilled and a dialogue must be held with the National League for Democracy. I would like to tell the international community that they should strictly urge the Burmese authorities to adhere to the UN resolutions.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

9 September 1998

(Interview with BBC)

Extracts from UN General Assembly Resolutions on Burma

Recalling that the Government of Myanmar has assured the General Assembly and other

United Nations bodies of its intention to take all necessary steps towards democracyin the light of the elections held in 1990 ,

(Extract from UNGA resolution 46/132 of 17 December 1991)

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its

commitments to take all necessary steps towards democracyin the light of the result of the elections held in 1990 ,

(Extract from UNGA resolution 47/144 of 18 December 1992)

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its

commitments to take all necessary steps towards democracyin the light of the results of the elections held in 1990 ,

(Extract from UNGA resolution 48/150 of 20 December 1993)

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its

commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990 ,

(Extract from UNGA resolution 49/197 of 23 December 1994)

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its

commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990 ,

(Extract from UNGA resolution 50/194 of 22 December 1995)

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its

commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990 ,

(Extract from UNGA resolution 51/117 of 12 December 1996)

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its

commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990 ,

(Extract from UNGA resolution 52/137 of 12 December 1997)

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its

commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990 ,

(Extract from UNGA resolution 53/162 of 9 December 1998)

Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar , taking into account the assurances it has

given on various occasions , to take all necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and , to this end and without delay , to engage in a substantive political dialogue with political leaders , including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi , and representatives of ethnic groups , and , in this context , notes the existence of the Committee representing the People’s Parliament;

(Extract from UNGA resolution 54/186 of 17 December 1999)

Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar, taking into account the assurances it has given on various occasions, to take all necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy, in accordance with the will of the people, as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and, to that end, without delay, to engage in a substantive political dialogue with political leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and representatives of ethnic groups, and, in that context, notes the existence of the committee representing the People's Parliament;
(Extract from UNGA Resolution 55/112 of 4 December 2000)

Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar to take urgent and concrete measures to ensure the establishment of democracyin accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and, to this end, to extend the talks initiated with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of the National League for Democracy, to encompass a genuine and substantive dialogue with all the leaders of political parties and of ethnic minorities, with the aim of achieving national reconciliation and the restoration of democracy, and to ensure that political parties and non-governmental organizations can function freely, and, in this context, notes the existence of the committee representing the People’s Parliament;

(Extract from UNGA resolution 56/231 of 24 December 2001)
Strongly urgesthe Government of Myanmar … to restore democracy and implement the results of the 1990 elections and to ensure that the contacts with Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of the National League for Democracy move without delay into substantive and structured dialogue towards democratization and national reconciliation and at an early stage to include other political leaders in these talks, including the representatives of the ethnic groups;
(Extract from UNGA Resolution 57/231 of 18 December 2002)

1990 DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS

" 1990 MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY

The 1990 Multi-Party Democracy General Elections , contested by 93 political parties , was sponsored by the military junta on 27 May 1990 after it took over the power of state on 18 September 1988..The people of Burma voted overwhelmingly for a democratic Parliament.It was free and fair and affirmed as such by the Burmese people and the world.

The people exercised their right to freely choose candidates to represent them in a Pyithu Hluttaw (People’s Parliament)in keeping with the democratic principles that “ sovereign power lies with the people which is transferred by way of elections “.

In accordance with Article 2 (a)of the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law (State Law and Order Restoration Council , Law No.14/89 of 31 May 1989), the elections held on 27 May 1990 is for the Pyithu Hluttaw (People’s Parliament)and not for a Constituent Assembly. The Article 21 (3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares that : “ The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of governmant; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures “.The will of the Burmese people has been obviously expressed in the May 1990 elections in Burma.

General Statistics of Elections : -

Constituencies : 492

Number in which election held : 485

Eligible voters (485 constituencies): 20,818,313

Vote cast : 15,112,524

Valid votes cast : 13,253,606

Candidates : 2,296

(2,209 from Parties , 87 independents)

Elected : 485

( 479 from Parties , 6 independents)

Candidates per constituency

Actually registered political parties ….. 235

- Cancelled by own request ….. 102

- Cancelled by Commission ….. 3

- Parties running ….. 130

- Three or more candidates 93

- One or two candidates 6

- No candidates 31

Parties with three or more candidates … (93)

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

Election Campaign Speeches

Summaries of campaign speeches made on Myanmar Radio and Television , as reported in Working People’s Daily newspapers.

(1)National League for Democracy Central Executive Committee member U Kyi Maung said his party had over 2,000,000 members and would contest 451 constituencies. Political parties are as necessary to democracy as oxygen is to life; they are nurseries for future leaders. The NLD will join with all parties believing in democratic practise. The NLD believes that striving for full basic human rights contributes towards speedy national development. "The single party system of the communists was abolished in 1989 and they found that the path taken for 45 years was wrong and the democratic system was influencing the whole world; it was a victory of democracy for mankind." In Myanmar the economic revolution would entail many difficulties, but success would come "only when the real economic condition of the country was presented to the people and physical and mental strength of the people and money could be utilized." A committee should be established to tackle inflation, "the most dangerous problem" in world economic decline. The NLD would "utilize the private enterprise as a major driving force." It was necessary to open Universities that could confer degrees in economic and management. Myanmar was lucky to have rich national resources, including the ability of its 40 million people. "The National League for Democracy believes that a democratic system [is] indeed needed to mobilize and utilize the ability of the entire people and that success [will] be achieved through the cooperation of the people of the country." (WPD 13/4/90)

(2) People's Democratic Party General Secretary U Tin Shwe said his party's patron was U Aung Than , elder brother of Bogyoke Aung San, and that leading members of the Pa-Ma-Nya-Ta are involved in it. He called for democracy and aid to farmers. (WPD 17/4/90)

(3) All-Burma United Youths Organization Chairman U Aung Khun Swe called for democracy , including respect for individual rights , no dictatorship , and settlement of disputes by negotiation. (WPD 15/4/90)

(4) Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League Chairman U Nyunt Thein said he was the "chief organizer" of the reestablishment of the AFPFL on 12 September 1988. The Party drew the lesson from 1988 that "unity is essential for attainment of democracy and full human rights." (WPD 13/4/90)

(5) Graduates and Old Students Democratic Association Chairman U Yan Kyaw recalled the role of students in Myanmar history , and called for opening of the universities , freedom to choose one's course of study , freedom to organize student unions , etc. (WPD 15/4/90)

(6) Arakan League for Democracy Chairman Dr. Saw Mra Aung called for democracy and federalism , internal peace , and a market economy with joint ventures. He noted a Rakhine claim to the west bank of the NatRiver , which Rakhines had "inherited from their ancestors" but been forced to evacuated during the wars. (WPD 11/4/90)

(7) National Unity Party Chairman U Tha Kyaw said the people have two choices: one is "to vote for the country to have relationship with nations of the world on equal basis and for establishment of a genuine democratic state based on internal strength of the country for the perpetuity of independence and sovereignty of the nation and prosperity of its people." The other option "if made by the people, might lead the country into being influenced by another nation, extinction of one's race and religion and turning the country again into a state of servitude." He called for strengthening unity and friendship among all the national races, and said that "local national races shall have the right to manage their own affairs as far as possible." He urged "political vigilance...against those who entertain thoughts which ran contrary to Myanmar traditions and against those who are attempting to blemish Myanmar culture and Myanmar way of life under the pretext of human rights." Regarding peasants, he said those who till the land should own it; that laws protecting peasants should remain in force; and that there should be priority to rural development. Workers and public servants "will continue to enjoy the rights and privileges under the existing laws," but the Party will "take measures for them to be able to enjoy other rights and create opportunities for the people to work ...[both] in the country [and] in foreign countries." The Party "will not make use of youths and students for them to gain political power but nurture them to become able leaders for tomorrow." It will practise a national economic policy "in which the entire people can take part extensively." (WPD 9/4/90)

(8) People's Volunteer Organization (Burma) Vice-Chairman U Tin Hla Oo called for democracy , private ownership of farmland , and State supervision of banking , forestry , transport , mining, and foreign trade. Coops should be free , and private enterprise encouraged. "We will have to attain the kind of [foreign] aid and support which does not mingle with aggression and interventions." (WPD 16/4/90)

(9) Mon National Democratic Front Chairman Naing Tun Thein sought democratic rights for all national races , and said his Front was a part of the United Nationalities League for Democracy. (WPD 20/4/90)

(10) Patriotic Youth Organization Chairman U Tint Swe (Ba Tint Swe), candidate for Okkalapa (2) , said his party was made up of 5 youth organizations , and called for "democratic and human rights without losing sight of national cause.... Mischievous persons misused politics for their own ends." (WPD 10/4/90)

(11) National Progressive Youth of Burma Central Body member U Sann Thu Aung called for youth unity and cooperation, and endorsed the Democratic Front for National Reconstruction of Widura Thakin Chit Maung (of which his party was a fraction) , the United Trade Union Congress (Union of Myanmar), the League of Peasants' Unions (LPU) , and Myanmar Amyo-thamee Toe-tet-yay Thammaga. (WPD 2/4/90)

(12) Chin National League for Democracy Patron UK. Taikwell , candidate in Falam (1) , said he was aligned with the United Nationalities League for Democracy , which included 19 parties from 7 states. He called for multi-party democracy and a "genuine federal system." (WPD 15/4/90)

(13) Union of Burma (Main) AFPFL (Hq) General Secretary Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein said she was the daughter of former AFPFL General Secretary U Kyaw Nyein. The one-party system "had made the country poor...because it had adhered to the wrong economic system." But economic prosperity depends on political stability , and its greatest obstacle in the internal insurgency. The Party would strive for human rights , and would implement her father's 4-point economic policy. (WPD 21/4/90)

(14) Democratic League for the National Races of the Shan State Chairman U Shwe Ohn said all the national races of the Shan State must work together to rekindle the spirit of Panglong. (WPD 14/4/90)

(15) United National Congress General Secretary U Kyaw Win, candidate in Pabedan said the UNC "are leaders of the Myanmar-Muslim organizations" and others who opposed the one-party system. Poor economic conditions are due to the looting of "imperialists and fascists" in the past. National unity "is a key factor and the source of everything." (WPD 5/4/90)