Myanmar General Election 2010 Myanmar General Election

The first multi-party national election in 2010

Voting for Myanmar’s first general election in 20 years will begin at 6 a.m. local time on the 7th to elect the federal parliament and provincial and state parliaments. The general election *** elected more than 1,000 members of the federal parliament and provincial and state parliaments. After this election, the first meeting of the Federal Parliament will be held within 90 days to elect the president and vice president to form a new government. At that time, the current military government will transfer power to the new government.

This general election was held in accordance with the "Union of Myanmar Constitution" adopted by referendum in 2008. The election elected more than 1,000 members of the Federal Parliament (the People's House and the House of Nationalities) and provincial Member of state parliament. The first meeting of the Federal Parliament will be held within 90 days after the election, at which time the president and vice president will be elected to form a new government. The current military government will transfer power to the new government.

The new constitution stipulates that the president is the head of state and head of government, and also serves as the chairman of the National Defense and Security Council, which includes the commander-in-chief of the armed forces as one of its members. The Commander-in-Chief is the supreme commander of Myanmar’s various armed forces. The military will continue to play a role in national politics and will have unelected military members nominated by the commander-in-chief of the armed services at all levels of parliament, accounting for 25% of all seats.

The new constitution clearly stipulates that Myanmar implements a multi-party system politically, implements a market economy system economically, pursues an independent, active, and non-aligned foreign policy in diplomacy, and does not allow foreign troops to be stationed in Myanmar. On October 21, Myanmar officially launched a new national flag and new national emblem, while the national anthem remained unchanged. Under strict security measures, Myanmar began a general election that had been waiting for 20 years in the early morning of the 7th. This is Myanmar's first multi-party general election in 20 years. It is the fifth step of Myanmar's seven-point democratic roadmap and an important election to realize the transformation from a military government to a democratically elected government.

This general election was held in accordance with the "Union of Myanmar Constitution" adopted by referendum in 2008. The country elected more than 1,000 members of the Federal Parliament and provincial and state parliaments. 25% of the seats do not go through elections and are still occupied by military personnel. Within 90 days after the election, the first meeting of the Federal Parliament will be held to elect the president and vice president to form a new government. At that time, the current military government will transfer power to the new government.

In Yangon, the largest city, the government arranged for local employees of some local media and foreign media organizations to go to some polling stations for interviews and reports. However, the authorities have previously announced that international media and foreign observers are prohibited from covering or monitoring the election.

Reporters on the streets of Yangon found that among the campaign posters of various political parties, the Myanmar Union Solidarity and Development Party (referred to as the Union Development Party) supported by the military government occupied the largest majority. The Gongfa Party also leads other political parties by a large margin in the number of candidates it has nominated.

The general election voting ended successfully at 4 pm local time on the 7th, and the counting of votes began at each polling station immediately. Judging from the counting of votes at several polling stations in Yangon and Taunggyi, the Gongfa Party is currently in the lead. According to Myanmar officials, the official results of the general election will not be announced for several days. General Than Shwe hides himself in secret

Surrounding Inya Lake in the center of Yangon city, there are unique several-story buildings, and the courtyard outside the building is lined with trees. It is said that many high-level officials, including Myanmar’s top leader, General Than Shwe, sometimes live in this area. A local driver told a Global Times reporter that many senior government officials have several luxury homes in the new capital, Naypyitaw, but they still live in Yangon most of the time.

Whether in Yangon or Naypyitaw, the impression given to reporters by ordinary people in Myanmar is that many people can speak English, and they do not shy away from topics about leaders. Yangon taxi driver Maung Aye criticized very dissatisfiedly: "The biggest problem in Than Shwe is that we have not reduced our gas prices. He can take the taxi without paying his own money, and we have no room to make money." Now, There are still people in Yangon talking about the wedding of Than Shwe's daughter in 2006. It is rumored that the gifts received by the newlyweds include multiple luxury cars and multiple mansions, with a total value of 50 million US dollars. General Than Shwe, 77, was born in an ordinary family. After graduating from the military academy in 1953, he gradually reached the pinnacle of power in Myanmar. Now he is the commander-in-chief of Myanmar's 400,000-strong armed forces and chairman of the National Peace and Development Council. Little is known about his private life. Many people only know that his wife Du Jiangjiang is the honorary president of the Myanmar Maternal and Child Health Association.

The outside world's impression of General Than Shwe mostly comes from Western or pro-Western media. The British "Financial Times" quoted Myanmar economic analyst Sow as saying that the reason why many cabinet ministers are submissive is because they are afraid of Than Shwe. . He was "arbitrary in everything" and often made misjudged policies. When the Associated Press reported on Myanmar's capital move in 2005, it described General Than Shwe as "quite superstitious and always likes to ask astrology questions." During the reporter's interviews in Naypyitaw and Bagan, the "City of Ten Thousand Pagodas", the accompanying person Aung Rong introduced that General Than Shwe is a devout Buddhist. When he worshiped a legendary temple in Bagan and built the Shwedagon Pagoda in Naypyidaw, There are many things to pay attention to. But Aung Rong said very solemnly: "Buddhism is our state religion. How can someone without faith and observance of rituals lead Myanmar? I don't understand what the outside world calls superstition, but if the outside world does not understand our Buddhist rituals "Gui, please don't make irresponsible remarks."

In the accounts of some people who have met General Than Shwe, his image is much more vivid. A Chinese who has met Than Shwe many times told the Global Times reporter: "On the second morning after arriving in Myanmar, Than Shwe met us at his official residence. The black car parked in front of his official residence was hung up. The five general stars are very eye-catching, which is the symbol of the rank of general. The Than Shwe we saw is not as majestic as the legend says. After all, he is a Burmese from the Buddhist country. Burmese people are not very arrogant in nature and always look humble in appearance. Maybe it was because he met an old friend, but he was very happy that morning, chatting and laughing. "What surprised this guest most was that Than Shwe, who is considered "very anti-Western" by Westerners, "speaks fluent English." . However, he also said, "Although Than Shwe looks gentle, I can still feel a sense of authority from the attitude of people around him towards him." A professor at Yangon University who did not want to be named said: "There is nothing about Than Shwe. With his family background, he has made his career step by step through hard work. In the ups and downs of Myanmar’s military circles, it would be difficult for him to get to this point if he is not very good at politics.”

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In the general election to be held on the 7th, approximately 3,000 candidates from 37 political parties and 82 independent candidates will participate in this election, competing for 1,159 parliamentary seats at all levels. Currently, the Union Solidarity and Development Party is generally considered the most powerful party by public opinion. It was founded by Myanmar’s current fourth leader, 65-year-old Prime Minister U Thein Sein. Previously, he was known as "Admiral Thein Sein". In order to participate in the election, he has taken off his military uniform.

Unlike other officials, Thein Sein lives a very civilian life. Aung Rong, who accompanied reporters during the interview, said: "Many senior government officials have their own small villas. Only U Thein Sein still lives in a very ordinary apartment in Yangon. The same goes for his family, and they have not received obvious benefits from his high position as prime minister. "In Nay Pyi Taw, U Thein Sein lives in a small single-story villa allocated by the government to ministers and above. In Ang Rong's words: "His living requirements are relatively ordinary, and he can easily get close to others." However, Myanmar scholar Win Myint said: "He is cautious but very independent in his actions. What is very different from the outside world's imagination is that this rather elegant prime minister dares to raise different opinions with Than Shwe from time to time. As long as he thinks he is doing the right thing, He will put his opinions on the table. Of course, his communication methods and words are very strategic.”

In front of the West, this “elegant and civilian” prime minister became “flexible.” And tough”. On November 15, 2009, Thein Sein and US President Obama held a historic meeting at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. It is a traditional part of ASEAN meetings for leaders to take photos side by side and hold hands. Before the meeting, Obama showed interest in this photo opportunity when holding hands with other leaders, but Thein Sein did not extend his hand to cater to him. Win Myint said: "Although Thein Sein has continued Myanmar's consistent tough attitude towards the West, especially the United States, he has traveled to many parts of the world, has an open mind, and has clear development ideas."

In order to form a party There are many ministers who took off their military uniforms like U Thein Sein to participate in the general election, including Myanmar’s current No. 3 and No. 5 leaders. They might run for president, vice president. Local commentators believe that after the election, the status of these senior government officials who resigned from the military will not change significantly, and the military's influence can still firmly control the situation in Myanmar.

Senior military officers are still the backbone

A Myanmar media source who did not want to be named told reporters: "In addition to U Thein Sein, the two senior generals in the special warfare situation - Lieutenant General Minh Su and Lieutenant General Jinsha will become the core force of Myanmar's new government, and Army Commander Din Wu is also a strong supporter of U Thein Sein. "These powerful generals are not as "stubborn" as the outside world imagines, such as Din Wu. As recently as last year, it was publicly suggested at a high-level government meeting that it would be okay for the opposition to account for 30% to 40% of the seats in parliament. Lieutenant General Khata Win, former commander of the Yangon Military District Headquarters and current commander of the Force Training Command, has won the support of Myanmar’s business community because he is “very open-minded” and believes that Myanmar’s future must be “inseparable from the open world.” Myanmar’s current No. 3 figure Khin Nyunt and No. 2 figure Maung Aye will also play an important role in Myanmar’s future situation. The 72-year-old Maung Aye is currently the Vice Chairman of the National Peace and Development Council, and Khin Nyunt, who is one year younger than him, is the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the National Defense Forces.

“Myanmar soldiers have a higher status in society, and the influence of the military is beyond the imagination of Myanmar outsiders. Wearing military uniforms is the ideal of many Myanmar youths, and this influence cannot be eliminated in one or two generations. "Ang Rong told reporters. In Myanmar, the first choice for girls to marry is soldiers. Than Shwe's daughter is said to have married a soldier.

General Than Shwe will not participate in this year’s general election. There is speculation that after the election, 77-year-old Than Shwe will hand over military power to a younger general, but few people believe that Than Shwe will hand over power immediately after the election. "I don't think he will be happy to retire and he will try to stay in power because he is worried about his future," said Aung Chao, founder and editor-in-chief of The Irrawaddy, a Burmese magazine published in Thailand. In five to ten years, Than Shwe has made many enemies. "Some analysts believe that if the party supported by the military wins, he will become the president of the country. This is a new position established by the new constitution passed by the new Congress in 2008. Others believe that this hidden leader has at least one card that has yet to be played. Myanmar scholar Win Myint said that if he can find a successor who is absolutely loyal to him, he may take an honorary position. The final results of Myanmar’s general election were announced. The Union Solidarity and Development Party won nearly 80% of the seats in parliament at all levels

The Union Election Commission of Myanmar announced the final results of the national election on the 17th. The Union Solidarity and Development Party (Gongfa Party) led by Prime Minister U Thein Sein won About 77% of seats in the federal parliament (House of People and House of Nationalities) and provincial and state parliaments.

The final results showed that among the 1,154 parliamentary seats at all levels elected in this national election, the Gongfa Party won 883 seats, including 259 seats in the People’s House, 129 ethnic groups House of Representatives and 495 provincial and state parliamentary seats, with the majority party in all levels of parliament.

U Shwe Mann, member of the National Peace and Development Council of Myanmar, the third leader, Prime Minister U Thein Sein, the fourth leader, and U Tin Aung Myint Oo, first secretary-general of the National Peace and Development Council of Myanmar, the fifth leader. Candidates of the Gongfa Party participated in the general election and were officially elected as members of the People's House of the Federal Parliament.

Myanmar will hold its first multi-party national election in 20 years on the 7th of this month. This election is widely considered to be an important election in promoting Myanmar's transformation from a military regime to a democratically elected government. More than 3,000 candidates from 37 political parties, including the Gongfa Party, and 82 independent candidates ran for election.

The federal parliament elected through the general election will hold its first meeting within 90 days after the election, at which the president and vice president will be elected, and a new government will be formed. Thereafter, the military government will transfer power to the democratically elected government.