Burmese general election, 1932

This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Burma

Politics portal

General elections were held in Burma on 9 November 1932,[1] having originally been planned for 29 October.[2] The election was held almost solely on the issue of whether Burma should separate from India.[3] Despite expectations that the separationists would win,[3][1] anti-separation candidates won a majority of seats. However, the anti-separationists were not in favour of maintaining the union with India, but instead called for a better constitution for a separate Burma.[4] They rejected the constitution proposed by the Prime Minister following the Burma Round-Table Conference, but also rejected the permanent federation with India, and declared they would enter the Indian Federation, but with the right to withdraw.[5]

Parties

A total of 207 candidates contested the 89 seats.[1] The People's Party headed by U Pe put forward 54, whilst the Independent Party of Joseph Meung had 49.[1] The Mawmyintbye Party of Ba Maw and the party led by Chit Hlaing also participated.[6][7]

Results

By 16 November, anti-separationists had won 39 seats, separationists 29 and the remaining nine seats were won by candidates neutral on the issue.[4] Of the anti-separationist groups, the Mawmyintbye Party won the most seats, whilst the People's Party emerged as the largest separationist party.[6] The Times noted that the surprise defeat of the separationists was caused "wild stories" that the country would become a "white man's paradise and home to the British unemployed, that taxation would be heavily increased, even dogs and poultry would be taxed; and that the Buddhist religion would be ruined".[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Separation Issue In Burma To-Day's Election": The Times, 9 November 1932, p11, Issue 46286
  2. ↑ "Burmese Election In October: Separation Finance", The Times, 9 August 1932, p9, Issue 46207
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Separation Issue In Burma Buddhist Monk's Appeal", The Times, 10 September 1932, p9, Issue 46235
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Burma Election: An Anti-Separation Majority", The Times, 16 November 1932, p14, Issue 46292
  5. ↑ "The New Constitution: Separation from India", The Times, 20 April 1937, p36, Issue 47663
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Burmese Election Anti-Separationists Decline Office", The Times, 18 November 1932, p13, Issue 46294
  7. ↑ "Deadlock In Burma Office Declined By Parties", The Times, 19 November 1932, p9; Issue 46295