Burmese general election, 1956

Burmese general election, 1956
Burma
27 April 1956
To fill 202 out of 250 seats in the Burmese Chamber of Deputies
Prime Minister before election

U Nu
AFPFL

 Prime Minister-elect

Ba Swe
AFPFL

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Burma held its second general election on 27 April 1956 to vote for 202 out of 250 seats to the Burmese Chamber of Deputies; the remaining 48 were decided automatically as no opposition candidates were entered against candidates of the ruling Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL).[1]

The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (AFPFL), a former wartime resistance organisation, won the election with a reduced majority.[2] After the election, U Nu, leader of the AFPFL, temporarily retired to reform the party and its policies.[3]

The second part of the election to elect members to the Chamber of Nationalities took place on 22 May after the election commission stated that "rebel intimidation and the lack of security prevented the people from exercising freedom of choice".[1] Voter turnout was 47.8%.[4]

Political parties

The AFPFL, National United Front (NUF) and smaller parties participated in the election. The NUF was successful in gaining media attention and organising trade union and peasant organisations.[5] However, the AFPFL was concerned at alleged funding by foreign embassies of the NUF.[1] A number of smaller parties represented different ethnic groups and were more local than national.[1] Meanwhile, U Nu of the AFPFL advocated his long held policy of neutrality.[6]

Polling day

After identifying themselves and voting, voters would dip their forefinger in green indelible ink. Opposition parties complained of minor irregularities regarding election lists.[1] Due to the security situation, the army was told to ensure free and fair elections but not to intimidate voters.[1] Students in the capital Rangoon had threatened to cause disorder after one of their leaders was killed by police, however this did not materialise.[7]

Results

Party Votes % Seats +/-
Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League1,844,61447.7148+1
National United Front1,170,07330.448New
Arkan National Unity Organisation853,55521.960
United Hill People's Congress14New
All-Shan State Organisation4New
People's Educational and Cultural Development Organisation4New
Kachin National Congress2New
Shan State United Hill People's Organisation2New
Burma National Bloc1New
United National Pa-O Organisation1New
Independents13–2
Vacant––7–
Total3,868,2421002500
Registered voters/turnout8,570,30847.8––
Source: Politics, Parties and National Elections in Burma, Nohlen et al.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Silverstein, Josef (1956). "Politics, Parties and National Elections in Burma". Far Eastern Survey (Institute of Pacific Relations) 25 (12): 177–184. doi:10.1525/as.1956.25.12.01p1086b. JSTOR 3024383.
  2. ↑ Bigelow, Lee S (1960). "The 1960 Elections in Burma". Far Eastern Survey (Institute of Pacific Relations) 29 (5): 70–74. doi:10.1525/as.1960.29.5.01p13582. JSTOR 3024046.
  3. ↑ Tarling, Nicholas (2000). The Cambridge History of Southeast Asia: From World War II to the Present, Volume 2, Part 2. Cambridge University Press. p. 280. ISBN 978-0-521-66372-4.
  4. ↑ Nohlen, D, Grotz, F & Hartmann, C (2001) Elections in Asia: A data handbook, Volume I, p603 ISBN 0-19-924958-X
  5. ↑ Alagappa, Muthiah (2001). Coercion and governance: the declining political role of the military in Asia. Stanford University Press. p. 415. ISBN 978-0-8047-4227-6.
  6. ↑ "Election in Burma". The New York Times. 28 April 1956.
  7. ↑ Associated Press (30 April 1956). "U Nu wins Burma vote". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.