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1 [1] (November 16, 2020)

handle is hein.crs/govdcop0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Burma's 2020 Parliamentary Elections November 16, 2020 The official results from Burma's elections held on November 8, 2020 indicate that Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) have exceeded their supermajority victories of 2015 in both chambers of Burma's Union Parliament (see Table 1). A campaign by ethnic minority parties to win a majority of the seats in the nation's seven ethnic states fell short of its goal, while the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) experienced a decline in its electoral fortunes. The elections were held when parts of eastern and western Burma were engulfed in the nation's ongoing civil war between Burma's military, known as the Tatmadaw, and several ethnic armed organizations (EAOs). As a result, voting was cancelled in 15 districts (9 in Rakhine State and 6 in Shan State) in the People's Assembly (Lower House) and 7 districts (all in Rakhine State) in the National Assembly (Upper House). The elections were also marred by procedural decisions that disenfranchised more than 1 million eligible voters, and for the second time denied Rohingya living in Burma or residing in refugee camps in Bangladesh the right to vote. The NLD's victory will likely result in Aung San Suu Kyi continuing as the nation's de facto leader. Some observers have criticized her for being too accommodating to the Tatmadaw while ignoring the interests of Burma's ethnic minorities. These observers cite actions such as her personal defense at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) of the military's alleged genocidal attack on the Rohingya in Rakhine State in 2017. The strength of the NLD's victory may also hinder efforts to negotiate an end to the nation's 70-year-old civil war, if Aung San Suu Kyi views the election results as support for her stalled peace process. The elections held under the provisions of the controversial 2008 constitution written by the nation's former military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). The 2008 constitution created a hybrid civilian/military Union Government with a bicameral Union Parliament. Under the constitution, active military officers occupy 25% of the seats in both chambers of the Union Parliament. Many of the EAOs reject the legitimacy of the Union Government and the 2008 constitution. An estimated 70% of the 37 million eligible voters in Burma (Myanmar) voted in the 3rd nationwide parliamentary elections, despite the nation's serious Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. The NLD won 258 seats in the People's Assembly and 138 seats in the National Assembly. The USDP experienced a 4 seat decline in both chambers. Table I. Comparison of Burma's Parliamentary Election Results by Chamber (number of seats won by selected major political parties) Political Party 2010 2015 2020 People's Assembly (Lower House)-330 seats National League for 0 255 258 Democracy (NLD) Union Solidarity and 259 30 26 Development Party (USDP) Arakan National Party 9 12 4 (ANP)/ Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RN D) Shan Nationalities League 0 12 13 for Democracy (SNLD) Other Political Parties or 57 14 14 Independents Vacant (voting cancelled) 5 7 I 5 National Assembly (Upper House)-168 seats National League for 0 135 138 Democracy (NLD) Union Solidarity and 129 II 7 Development Party (USDP) Arakan National Party 7 10 4 (ANP)/ Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP) Shan Nationalities League 0 3 2 for Democracy (SNLD) Other Political Parties or 32 9 10 Independents Vacant (voting cancelled) 0 0 7 Source: Union Election Commission, Announcement of the Results of the 2020 Multi-Party Democratic General Election, November 15, 2020 (in Burmese). Notes: Table does not include 110 seats in People's Assembly and 56 seats in National Assembly reserved for active military officers. The NLD and SNLD boycotted the 2010 elections. In 2013, the RNDP and the Arakan League for Democracy merged to form the Arakan National Party. In 2017, some members of the ANP split off to form the Arakan Front Party (AFP). An effort by ethnic minority political parties in Burma's seven ethnic states failed to win a majority of the contested seats in either chamber, with the exception of Rakhine

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