The elections of 1990 are an important landmark in the modern history of Burma. After three decades... almost three decades...of military dictatorship, finally the people of Burma were going to be able to vote for a government of their choice. The elections of 1990 were free and fair. It was one of the freest and fairest that had taken place in this region at that time. But unfortunately, the results of the elections were not honoured.

 

                                                            Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

                                                Videotaped message presented at Capitol Hill,

                                                                                                                           16 May 2000

1990

MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY

GENERAL

ELECTIONS

 

Compiled by

Khin Kyaw Han,

MP-NLD,

Yenangyaung (2)

Updated to 1 February 2003                                   

 

1990

MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY  GENERAL ELECTIONS

 

The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) took power on 18 September 1988 after the series of brutal suppression in which thousands of demonstrators were killed.

 

On the 31 May 1989, the State Law and Order Restoration Council enacted the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law “ In order to hold free and fair multi-party democracy general elections and to elect representatives of the Pyithu Hluttaw  (People’s Assembly) “.

 

Elections for the Pyithu Hluttaw were held in Burma on 27 May 1990 following over two years of civil disturbance against the military’s rule.

 

Despite multi-party elections in 1990 that resulted in the main opposition party (National League for Democracy) winning a decisive victory,  the military junta ruling the country refused to hand over power.

 

Key opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, under house arrest from 1989 to 1995, was placed under virtual house arrest again in September 2000; her supporters were routinely harassed or jailed.

 

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was released on 6 May 2002 after 19 months of house arrest.

 

 

 

            CONTENTS

 

-  General Statistics of Elections                                                                                

 

-  Candidates per Constituency                                                                           

 

-  Election Campaign Speeches                                                                          

 

-  Election Results of 93 Political Parties                                                           

 

-  Summary of Constituencies                                                                          

 

-  Election Results of Winning Parties                                                                   

           

           
Brief Biographies of Elected MPs                                                                                  

 

-  Kachin State                                                                                                 

 

-  Kayah State                                                                                                 

 

-  Karen State                                                                                                   

 

-  Chin State                                                                                                    

 

-  Sagaing Division                                                                                           

 

-  Tenasserim Division                                                                                    

 

-  Pegu Division                                                                                               

 

-  Magwe Division                                                                                            

 

-  Mandalay Division                                                                                        

 

-  Mon State                                                                                                    

 

-  Arakan State                                                                                                

 

-  Rangoon Division                                                                                       

 

-  Shan  State                                                                                                   

 

-  Irrawaddy Division                                                                                       

 

-  MPs, Remained Behind Bars                                                                      

 

-  MPs, Living In Exile                                                                                    

 

-  MPs, Died In Prison                                                                                                

 

-  New Election Commission Formed                                                                           

 

-  Political Party Registration Law                                                                             

 

-  Organization Law                                                                                              

 

-  Actually Registered Political Parties                                                                

           

 

Other Related Topics                                                                                        

 

-  SLORC Policy Declaration (1/90)                                                              

 

-  Gandhi Hall Declaration                                                                                

 

-  Election Tribunals                                                                                        

 

-  Election Law Amended                                                                                      

 

-  The So-Called National Convention                                                              

 

-  Steering Committee Named                                                                                          

 

-  The Principle Duty Of The National Convention                                                    

 

-  The Eight Different Categories of National Convention Deligates                            

 

-  SLORC Declaration No. 11/92 of 24 April 92                                                                

 

-  SLORC Order No. 1/93 of 1 January 93                                                                                

 

-  The National Convention Delegates of National League for Democracy              

 

-  The Committee Representing People’s Parliament (CRPP)                                    

 

-  Anti-Subversion Law (5/96)

 

-  Turning of a New Page

 

-  The NLD’s 21-Point Resolution                                                  

 

-  Back to the past today

 

-  A Brief History of Political Activism  in  Burma

 

-  UN special human rights rapporteurs on Burma

 

-  UN special envoy on Burma

 

 

 

 

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

            .

 

I would like the world community to firmly stand by the United Nations resolutions on Burma. The UN resolutions have clearly indicated that the people’s wishes as expressed by the results of the 1990 elections must be fulfilled and a dialogue must be held with the National League for Democracy. I would like to tell the international community that they should strictly urge the Burmese authorities to adhere to the UN resolutions.

- Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
9 September 1
(Interview with BBC)

 

 

Extracts from UN General Assembly Resolutions on Burma

 

Recalling that the Government of Myanmar has assured the General Assembly and other United Nations bodies of its intention to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the elections held in 1990,

(Extract from UNGA resolution 46/132 of 17 December 1991)

 

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its  commitments to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the result of the elections held in 1990,

(Extract from UNGA resolution 47/144 of 18 December 1992)

 

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitments to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990

(Extract from UNGA resolution 48/150 of 20 December 1993)

 

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990

(Extract from UNGA resolution 49/197 of 23 December 1994)

 

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990

(Extract from UNGA resolution 50/194 of 22 December 1995)

 

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990

(Extract from UNGA resolution 51/117 of 12 December 1996)

 

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990

(Extract from UNGA resolution 52/137 of 12 December 1997)

 

Gravely concerned that the Government of Myanmar still has not implemented its commitment to take all necessary steps towards democracy in the light of the results of the elections held in 1990

(Extract from UNGA resolution 53/162 of 9 December 1998)

 

Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar, taking into account the assurances it has given on various occasions, to take all necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and, to this end and without delay, to engage in a substantive political dialogue with political leaders, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and representatives of ethnic groups, and, in this context, notes the existence of the Committee representing the People’s Parliament;

(Extract from UNGA resolution 54/186 of 17 December 1999)


Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar, taking into account the assurances it has given on various occasions, to take all necessary steps towards the restoration of democracy, in accordance with the will of the people, as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and, to that end, without delay, to engage in a substantive political dialogue with political leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and representatives of ethnic groups, and, in that context, notes the existence of the committee representing the People's Parliament;
(Extract from UNGA Resolution 55/112 of 4 December 2000)

 

Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar to take urgent and concrete measures to ensure the establishment of democracy in accordance with the will of the people as expressed in the democratic elections held in 1990 and, to this end, to extend the talks initiated with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, General Secretary of the National League for Democracy, to encompass a genuine and substantive dialogue with all the leaders of political parties and of ethnic minorities, with the aim of achieving national reconciliation and the restoration of democracy, and to ensure that political parties and non-governmental organizations can function freely, and, in this context, notes the existence of the committee representing the People’s Parliament;

(Extract from UNGA resolution 56/231 of 24 December 2001)

Strongly urges the Government of Myanmar … to restore democracy and implement the results of the 1990 elections and to ensure that the contacts with Aung San Suu Kyi and other leaders of the National League for Democracy move without delay into substantive and structured dialogue towards democratization and national reconciliation and at an early stage to include other political leaders in these talks, including the representatives of the ethnic groups;
(Extract from UNGA Resolution 57/231 of 18 December 2002)

 

 

 

1990  DEMOCRATIC  ELECTIONS

" 1990 MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY                                  

  The 1990 Multi-Party Democracy General Elections, contested by 93 political parties, was sponsored by the military junta on 27 May 1990 after it took over the power of state on 18 September 1988..The people of Burma voted overwhelmingly for a democratic Parliament.It was free and fair and affirmed as such by the Burmese people and the world.

  The people exercised their right to freely choose candidates to represent them in a Pyithu Hluttaw (People’s Parliament) in keeping with the democratic principles that “ sovereign power lies with the people which is transferred by way of elections “.

  In accordance with Article 2 (a) of the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law (State Law and Order Restoration Council, Law No.14/89 of 31 May 1989), the elections held on 27 May 1990 is for the Pyithu Hluttaw (People’s Parliament) and not for a Constituent Assembly.                                                                                                        The Article 21 (3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declares that: “ The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of governmant; this  will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures “.The will of the Burmese people has been obviously expressed in the May 1990 elections in Burma.

General Statistics of Elections: -

            Constituencies:                                                                492

            Number in which election held:                                      485        

            Eligible voters (485 constituencies):                 20,818,313

            Vote cast:                                                             15,112,524

            Valid votes cast:                                                  13,253,606

            Candidates:                                                                   2,296

                        (2,209 from Parties, 87 independents)

            Elected:                                                                            485 

                        (   479 from Parties,   6 independents)

 

            Candidates per constituency

            Actually registered political parties …..  235

            - Cancelled by own request …..               102

            - Cancelled by Commission …..                  3

            - Parties running …..                                130

            - Three or more candidates                         93

            - One or two candidates                                6

            - No candidates                                           31

            Parties with three or more candidates … (93) 

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

Election Campaign Speeches

Summaries of campaign speeches made on Myanmar Radio and Television, as reported in Working People’s Daily newspapers.

 

(1)National League for Democracy                                                                            

Central Executive Committee member U Kyi Maung said his party had over 2,000,000 members and would contest 451 constituencies. Political parties are as necessary to democracy as oxygen is to life; they are nurseries for future leaders. The NLD will join with all parties believing in democratic practise. The NLD believes that striving for full basic human rights contributes towards speedy national development. "The single party system of the communists was abolished in 1989 and they found that the path taken for 45 years was wrong and the democratic system was influencing the whole world; it was a victory of democracy for mankind." In Myanmar the economic revolution would entail many difficulties, but success would come "only when the real economic condition of the country was presented to the people and physical and mental strength of the people and money could be utilized." A committee should be established to tackle inflation, "the most dangerous problem" in world economic decline. The NLD would "utilize the private enterprise as a major driving force." It was necessary to open Universities that could confer degrees in economic and management. Myanmar was lucky to have rich national resources, including the ability of its 40 million people. "The National League for Democracy believes that a democratic system [is] indeed needed to mobilize and utilize the ability of the entire people and that success [will] be achieved through the cooperation of the people of the country."  (WPD 13/4/90)

 

(2) People's Democratic Party                                                                                  

General Secretary U Tin Shwe said his party's patron was U Aung Than, elder brother  of Bogyoke Aung San, and that leading members of the Pa-Ma-Nya-Ta are involved in  it. He called for democracy and aid to farmers. (WPD 17/4/90)

 

(3) All-Burma United Youths Organization                                                        

Chairman U Aung Khun Swe called for democracy, including respect for individual rights, no dictatorship, and settlement of disputes by negotiation. (WPD 15/4/90)

 

(4) Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League                                                         

Chairman U Nyunt Thein said he was the "chief organizer" of the reestablishment of the AFPFL on 12 September 1988. The Party drew the lesson from 1988 that "unity is essential for attainment of democracy and full human rights." (WPD 13/4/90)

 

(5) Graduates and Old Students Democratic Association                                       

Chairman U Yan Kyaw recalled the role of students in Myanmar history, and called for opening of the universities, freedom to choose one's course of study, freedom to organize student unions, etc. (WPD 15/4/90)

 

(6) Arakan League for Democracy                                                                             

Chairman Dr. Saw Mra Aung called for democracy and federalism, internal peace, and a market economy with joint ventures. He noted a Rakhine claim to the west bank of the Nat River, which Rakhines had "inherited from their ancestors" but been forced to evacuated during the wars. (WPD 11/4/90)

 

(7) National Unity Party                                                                                         

Chairman U Tha Kyaw said the people have two choices: one is "to vote for the country to have relationship with nations of the world on equal basis and for establishment of a genuine democratic state based on internal strength of the country for the perpetuity of independence and sovereignty of the nation and prosperity of its people." The other option "if made by the people, might lead the country into being influenced by another nation, extinction of one's race and religion and turning the country again into a state of servitude." He called for strengthening unity and friendship among all the national races, and said that "local national races shall have the right to manage their own affairs as far as possible." He urged "political vigilance...against those who entertain thoughts which ran contrary to Myanmar traditions and against those who are attempting to blemish Myanmar culture and Myanmar way of life under the pretext of human rights." Regarding peasants, he said those who till the land should own it; that laws protecting peasants should remain in force; and that there should be priority to rural development. Workers and public servants "will continue to enjoy the rights and privileges under the existing laws," but the Party will "take measures for them to be able to enjoy other rights and create opportunities for the people to work ...[both] in the country [and] in foreign countries." The Party "will not make use of youths and students for them to gain political power but nurture them to become able leaders for tomorrow." It will practise a national economic policy "in which the entire people can take part extensively." (WPD 9/4/90)

 

(8) People's Volunteer Organization (Burma)                                                            

Vice-Chairman U Tin Hla Oo called for democracy, private ownership of farmland, and State supervision of banking, forestry, transport, mining, and foreign trade. Coops should be free, and private enterprise encouraged. "We will have to attain the kind of [foreign] aid and support which does not mingle with aggression and interventions." (WPD 16/4/90)

 

(9) Mon National Democratic Front                                                                    

Chairman Naing Tun Thein sought democratic rights for all national races, and said his Front was a part of the United Nationalities League for Democracy. (WPD 20/4/90)

 

(10) Patriotic Youth Organization                                                                       

 Chairman U Tint Swe (Ba Tint Swe), candidate for Okkalapa (2), said his party was made up of 5 youth organizations, and called for "democratic and human rights without losing sight of national cause.... Mischievous persons misused politics for their own ends."  (WPD 10/4/90)

 

(11) National Progressive Youth of Burma                                                              

Central Body member U Sann Thu Aung called for youth unity and cooperation, and endorsed the Democratic Front for National Reconstruction of Widura Thakin Chit Maung (of which his party was a fraction), the United Trade Union Congress (Union of Myanmar), the League of Peasants' Unions (LPU), and Myanmar Amyo-thamee Toe-tet-yay Thammaga. (WPD 2/4/90)

 

(12) Chin National League for Democracy                                                              

Patron UK. Taikwell, candidate in Falam (1), said he was aligned with the United Nationalities League for Democracy, which included 19 parties from 7 states. He called for multi-party democracy and a "genuine federal system." (WPD 15/4/90)

 

(13) Union of Burma (Main) AFPFL (Hq)                                                             

 General Secretary Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein said she was the daughter of former AFPFL General Secretary U Kyaw Nyein. The one-party system "had made the country poor...because it had adhered to the wrong economic system." But economic prosperity depends on political stability, and its greatest obstacle in the internal insurgency. The Party would strive for human rights, and would implement her father's 4-point economic policy. (WPD 21/4/90)

 

(14) Democratic League for the National Races of the Shan State                   

Chairman U Shwe Ohn said all the national races of the Shan State must work together to rekindle the spirit of Panglong. (WPD 14/4/90)

 

(15) United National Congress                                                                                

 General Secretary U Kyaw Win, candidate in Pabedan said the UNC "are leaders of the Myanmar-Muslim organizations" and others who opposed the one-party system. Poor economic conditions are due to the looting of "imperialists and fascists" in the past. National unity "is a key factor and the source of everything." (WPD 5/4/90)

 

(16) Democratic Human Rights Party                                                                     

 Patron U Tun Myint Kyi opposed the single party system, and reviewed Muslim contributions to Myanmar national traditions. (WPD 20/4/90)

 

(17) Patriotic Old Comrades League                                                                    

Chairman U Aung Shwe said his Party was composed of old comrades who took part in the anti-imperialist, anti-fascist and people's liberation struggles. It now fully endorses the National League for Democracy. (WPD 22/4/90)

 

(18) Shan Nationalities League for Democracy                                                                           

Organizer U Sai Hpa (a) Sai Hla Pe said the league included Shan, Danu, Pao, Palaung, Intha, Kachin, Lisu, Wa, Kokang, Yinnet, Yinkya, Ahka, and Lahu residing in Shan State and elsewhere. Referring to the Panglong Conference, he said the league sought democracy and the Shan State "would be entitled to self-determination and autonomy" under a new constitution guaranteeing equal rights for all nationalities."

Farmers should own their land and be free to sell produce; prices should be stabilized and loans provided. (WPD 18/4/90)

 

(19) Peasants Unity Organization                                                                        

Chairman Brig-Gen. Than Nyunt (Rtd.) said his organization had been formed from the old Peasants Asiayone, and it was allied with the National Unity Party, the Workers Unity Organization, and the Youth Unity Organization . (WPD 19/4/90)

 

(20) Workers' Unity Organization                                                                         

Chairman U Ohn Kyaw promised to protect workers in the changing economic situation, and to work in alliance with the National Unity Party, the Peasants Unity Organization, and the Youth Unity Organization. (WPD 14/4/90)

 

(21) All-Burma National Progressive Democracy Party                                        

General Secretary U Tin Min Htaik called for national unity, democracy, and election of able leaders, as "the Tatmadaw, with duty consciousness, [had] highlighted." (WPD 11/4/90)

 

(22) Shan National Development Democratic Party (Union of Myanmar)           

Executive Committee member U Thein Shwe called for democracy and human rights for all the people, a reduction of taxes, world standard education, higher health standards, and "internal peace in accordance with democratic means." (WPD 17/4/90)

 

(23) Democratic People's League (DPL)                                                                

General Secretary U Sein Nyunt endorsed democracy, and called on voters to support candidates, not parties. (WPD 2/4/90)

 

(24) Union for the Improvement of Burmese Women (Central Headquarters)  

General Secretary Daw Myint Myint Gyi, candidate in Nyaunglaybin 1, said it was time for the people to establish a new state, based on unity and democracy. Her party also sought to unite and promote women of all national groups. (WPD 8/4/90)

 

(25) Union Stability Party (USP)                                                                            

 General Secretary U Than Aung sought equality and economic progress for the national races. Farmers should own their land and sell crops freely. "Land-ownership will be limited not to let the landlordism flourish again." (WPD 18/4/90)

 

(26) Karen State National Organization                                                                 

General Secretary U Saw Than Shein called for full equality between national races, political as well as economic, and for a new Panglong Conference. (WPD 3/4/90)

 

(27) National Democratic Party for Human Rights                                           

 Chairman U Chit Lwin said the Party would promote human rights according to the UN Charter, and support democracy. He called for the teaching of political science in the universities and authorization of student unions in high schools and universities. "to deal with student affairs and for representation to the authorities." (WPD 12/4/90)

 

(28) Arakan Nationalities Democracy Party                                                          

Secretary U Zaw Pe called for "a democratic state which guarantees all basic human rights and brings about internal peace and equality of all national races." (WPD 21/4/90)

 

(29) Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League (Original) (Hq) AFPFL               

Executive Committee member Daw Nay Yi Ba Swe said the Party had been formed withthe Bamar Tatmadaw Pyithu Ayardawbon Party and Burma Communist Party on 23 August 1944, and had laid the foundations stones for parliamentary democracy. Dictatorship can flourish even in multi-party democracy if a president or prime minister "abuses power to perpetuate his rule." (WPD 18/4/90)

 

(30) League of Peasants' Unions (LPU)                                                                 

General Secretary Thakin San Mya said that for 26 years the people had "been deprived of citizens rights, of basic human rights." He outlined peasants needs. (WPD 20/4/90)

 

(31) Students and Youth League for Mayyu Development (Arakan)                

Candidate Dr. Tun Aung (a) Dr. Nurul Huq endorsed democracy for all national races, a market economy, and inducements for foreign investment. (WPD 8/4/90)

 

(32) Farmer, Gadu, Ganan and Shan National Unity Democratic Hq. (Banmauk) Second Vice Chairman U Kyaw Nyunt said his party would promote human rights and democracy, and said that "cultivation work, transaction of goods and storage of wunza could be systematically carried out only when the human rights attained." (WPD 6/4/90)

 

(33) Kokang Democracy and Unity Party                                                             

Chairman U Yan Win Hton (a) U Myint Lwin said his party sought a new constitution, free enterprise, joint ventures, and other areas of economic and social development.  (WPD 5/4/90)

 

(34) League for Democracy & Peace (LDP)                                                           

 Patron Daw Mya Yi said she had been asked "to assume the responsibility of the party's patron because of her husband's [U Nu's] inavailability. Her husband wants to put an end to the internal fighting by achieving peace, and then to reduce prices so that "a pyi of rice will cost 75 pyas and a viss of cooking oil will cost three kyats." (WPD 22/4/90)

 

(35) Kachin National Congress                                                                                 

 Patron Duwa Lawan Li, candidate in Myitkyina (2), said the KNC wanted joint ventures, increased electrical supplies, and mechanized agriculture. The KNC wants "to do away with internal insurgency through peaceful settlements... The Union must be a genuine Federal Union constituted with states which have equal rights." (WPD 4/4/90)

 

(36) Union DANU League for Democracy Party                                                  

Member U Aung San said his party represented Danu nationals from the central Shan State (Kalaw, Aungpan, Heho, Bawsaing, Pindaya, Ywangan, Lawsawk, and Taunggyi). He called for democracy, and private land ownership.  (WPD 1/4/90)

 

(37) People Pioneer Party (PPP)                                                                          

Chairman U San Shwe, candidate in Pazundaung township, said that PPP policy was neither leftist nor rightist but to pursue genuine democracy, as defined by Bogyoke Aung San. He called for a farmer's bank for farmers, and a people's bank for the poor and casual workers, so as to avoid "exploitation and new form of Chettyar usurers lending money at high interest rates."  (WPD 12/4/90)

 

(38) Democratic Organization for Kayan National Unity (DOKNU)                      

Vice Chairman U Khun Marco Ban said his party sought to bring together Kayan people from 3 states and 2 divisions. There could be no progress without "achieving internal peace." His party had joined with the United Nationalities League for Democracy and was working with it. (WPD 6/4/90)

 

(39) Union Nationals Democracy Party (UNDP)                                                

Executive Patron U Aung Gyi said that he could have become President or Prime Minister under U Ne Win, but had resigned from the Revolutionary Council after only 11 months because he was "in favour of a multi-party system but U Ne Win was not," he "preferred a four-legged economy--private, joint venture, co-operative and state sectors---[while] U Ne Win wanted only state controlled economy," and he was "in favour of press freedom, [while] U Ne Win preferred media to be owned as government and party organs." He called for irrigation and increased farm productivity, and pledged to "promulgate an act which would prohibit demonetization." He would let the states "determine their own affairs," and eliminate politics from services personnel promotions. Finally, "the existance of the Tatmadaw is a must," since "without the Tatmadaw, no nation would be able to establish a democratic state." (WPD 21/4/90)

 

(40) Amyothar Party (AP)                                                                                      

Chairman Maj. Tun Kyaw Oo (rtd) called for democracy, a federal system, free enterprise, and "a political solution to attain internal peace." (WPD 1/4/90)

 

(41) Wa National Development Party                                                                          

Joint General Secretary U Sam Sawng Ka said his party believed in national unity, democracy, equal rights, the rule of law, and socio/ economic development with "priority to setting up private enterprises." (WPD 7/4/90)

 

(42) Lisu National Solidarty                                                                                           

Vice Chairman U Lamya Tha endorsed progress and equal rights for Lisu nationals, democracy, and a search for internal peace. (WPD 16/4/90)

 

(43) Karen National Congress for Democracy (KNCD)                                     

Chairman Dr. Saw Hanson Tadaw called for democracy, human rights, equality for national races, justice, promotion of the Kayin cultural heritage, and internal peace and affluence. (WPD 7/4/90)

 

(44) Inn-Tha National Organization                                                                              

First Vice Chairman U Kyaw Win, candidate in Yawnghwe (1) [Shan] said his party sought "a new constitution with the participation of the national races and legal profession...[to] provide for the establishment of national states, self-determination and the establishment of regions of minority races..." but without "the right to secede from the Union."  (WPD 4/4/90)

 

(45) Rakhine National Humanitarian Development Organization                      

General Secretary U Hla Oo said his group was a part of the United Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD), and sought unity among the national groups and tribes.  (WPD 19/4/90)

 

(46) Union People's Future and Democracy Party                                                

Chairman U Kyaw Thein, candidate in Dagon Myothit constituency [Yangon], called for multi-party democracy with "opposition members which stand on the side of the people and...give constructive suggestions to the government." Myanmar has become "the least developed country in the world because of the one-party system."  (WPD 9/4/90)

 

(47) Anti-Communist, Anti-Socialist, Anti-Totalitarian Free Democracy League

 Central Committee Chairman U Thet Aung said his League was composed of "three main parties," and sought to promote individual human rights, the right of the farmers to land and freedom to sell their products, and free primary education. (WPD 19/4/90)

 

(48) Lahu National Development Party (LNDP)                                                 

Chairman U Daniel Aung said democracy was necessary for the progress of the national races, and promised to promote Lahu needs and culture. The party would contest the constituencies of Mongping, Mongtung, Monghsat, Monghpyak, Tachilek, Monghkat, Kengtung (1), and Pangyang. (WPD 10/4/90)

 

(49) United Nationalities League                                                                           

Member of the Panel of Chairmen Naing Ngwe Thein said the League was made up of 19 political parties from the Kayin, Kachin, Kayah, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan, Paoh, Padaung, and Kayan national groups {list of parties}. They sought equality between the national races, national unity, a genuine Union, internal peace, proportionate development of the States and Divisions, modernization, and avoidance of dictatorship. (WPD 17/4/90)

 

(50) League of Democratic Allies (LDA)                                                                     

Vice Chairman U Ko Ko Gyi (a) U Aung Myint sought unity, democracy, human rights, freedom for workers' organizations, a free and democratic education system, and internal peace through political means. The L.D.A.'s patron is U Aung Than, elder brother of Bogyoke Aung San. (WPD 16/4/90)

 

(51) Democratic Allies' League (DAL)                                                             
Chairman U Maung Maung Ohn Myaing, candidate for Meiktila 2, endorsed multi-party democracy, national unity, and development. (WPD 3/4/90)

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

 

Although 235 political parties actually registered, only 93 fielded candidates. Student-organised and other small pro-democracy parties that did not field candidates in at least three constituencies were deregistered. Several ethnic parties were declared illegal after the election.