November 23, 2015

Myanmar confronts challenges of democratic transformation

Millions of citizens in Myanmar cast their votes on November 08 in a nationwide parliamentary elections described as a historic step in the country's transition to democracy. At stake in the polls was control of the two-chamber legislature known as the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. It is currently dominated by allies of President Thein Sein, a former military general, who is part of a junta that gave up power to a semi-civilian government in 2011.

The Parliament comprises of the Lower House of Representatives with 440 Members and the Upper House of Nationalities with 224 Members. In both legislative chambers, 25 per cent of the seats - 110 in the Lower House and 56 in the Upper House are reserved for the military as set out in the Constitution. Out of a total number of 498 seats that could have been contested, seven have had no elections. There were consequently elections to 325 seats in the Lower House and 168 in the Upper House.

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