Myanmar's election 2015: Eight things to know

Myanmar's election 2015: Eight things to know

ADC has New Zealand-based experts with on-the-ground experience in Myanmar available for interviews about this landmark election on November 8. Scroll down for details.

The elections will be Myanmar’s first under civilian rule. In 2011, the country ended nearly half a century of military rule and gradually began to relax restrictions on opposition parties. It is hoped the elections will be the freest in 25 years, but concerns remain about military influence and inaccurate voter lists. In addition, the election commission has said it will cancel voting in areas of the country embroiled in ethnic conflict, meaning the election will not be 100 per cent inclusive.

The military is not giving up power completely. There are 664 seats up for grabs in Hluttaw (parliament) and Myanmar’s constitution - drafted by the military - states unelected military representatives will hold 25 per cent of those seats. They will appoint key ministers (such as defence, home affairs and border affairs), and also have veto power over any proposed constitutional change.

There is cautious optimism about what impact the election will have.Myanmar has seen rapid political and social change in recent years. Whereas five years ago people were afraid to discuss politics even in private, streets and tea shops are now buzzing with talk of the election and people campaign openly for the parties they support.Given the recent political history of Myanmar, however, many people are still concerned at what might happen if the vote doesn’t go as planned.

The outcome will be watched closely in New Zealand. New Zealand has a growing trade relationship with Myanmar, with around $20 million worth of trade annually. However, Myanmar remains only our 97th largest trading partner. New Zealand has a historic relationship with Myanmar through the ASEAN group of nations. Since reforms began in 2011, however, the two countries have been actively seeking a closer bilateral relationship too. John Key visited Myanmar in November 2012, and hosted Myanmar’s current President, Thein Sein, in July 2013. New Zealand opened an Embassy in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, in November 2013.

Economic transformation is on everybody’s mind. Myanmar has seen a spectacular increase in the pace of economic growth since current reforms began in 2011. This has been further accelerated by the lifting of international sanctions. Foreign investment has surged, telecommunications and financial infrastructure is growing quickly, and small and medium business are thriving. Locals are hopeful that this will continue after the election, however there is concern about the instability that such rapid economic change might cause.

There are two main players. A staggering 91 political parties have registered to take part in the election, but there are two clear frontrunners. One is the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which is backed by the military. The other is the National League for Democracy (NLD), headed by former political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi. The NLD currently holds only a tiny fraction of available seats but performed well in the 2012 by-election, leading some pundits to predict a strong showing this time around.

Myanmar’s president is chosen by parliament. A complex voting process means the president isn’t likely to be chosen until March 2016. The Upper House, Lower House and unelected military representatives each put forward a candidate, with the winner being decided in a combined vote.

Aung San Suu Kyi can’t become president. This is because of a clause in the constitution stating anybody whose children owe “allegiance to a foreign power” is barred from the presidency. Suu Kyi’s two sons are both British citizens.

© Scoop Media