Burmese general election, 1936

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General elections were held in Burma in November 1936.[1] The Government of Burma Act 1935 separated Burma from British India as of 1 April 1937,[2] and created a 36-seat Senate and a 132-seat House of Representatives.[3] The pro-constitution United Party of U Pe emerged as the largest bloc in the House of Representatives, winning 43 seats.[4] However, few parties were willing to work with U Pe,[4] and the Governor invited Ba Maw to form a government,[1] despite winning only three seats. Maw became Chief Minister after forming a coalition with Chit Hlaing and other "moderate extremists".[5][1]

Electoral system

The 132 seats in House of Representatives were divided into 91 single member non-communal constituencies, twelve reserved seats for Karens, eleven for trade organisations, eight for Indians, four for labour organisations, three for Europeans, two for Anglo-Burmese and one for Rangoon University.[3] However, large areas of the country in the north and east including the Shan States remained directly governed by the Governor and did not elect members of the House.[1][3]

Of the eleven special seats elected by trade organisations, five were elected by the Burma Chamber of Commerce, two by the Burma Indian Chamber of Commerce and one each by the Burmese Chamber of Commerce, the Rangoon Trade Association, the Nattukottai Chettiars Association and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.[3] The labour seats were split into two for Indians and two for Burmese, with the elections taking place in Rangoon and the oilfields of Yenangyaung and Chauk.[3]

Half of the 36 seats in the Senate were appointed by the Governor, whilst the remaining half were elected by members of the House of Representatives.[3]

Results

Party Votes % Seats
United Party 43
Independents 33
Ba Maw's party 15
Indians 13
Chit Hlaing's party 12
Europeans 9
Four other parties 5
Anglo-Burmans 2
Total 132
Source: The Times[6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Burma On Her Own First Year Of Separation, State In The Making", The Times, 14 April 1938, p13, Issue 47969
  2. ↑ "The New Constitution: Separation from India", The Times, 20 April 1937, p36, Issue 47663
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "Legislature and Electors Burma at the Polls", The Times, 20 April 1937, p37, Issue 47663
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Divided Burma: Launching The Constitution", The Times, 11 February 1937, p13, Issue 47606
  5. ↑ "The Imperial Conference Opening Speeches, Expressions Of Common Loyalty ", The Times, 15 May 1937, p17, Issue 47685
  6. ↑ "News in Brief", The Times, 12 December 1936, p13, Issue 47556