Why did self-proclaimed nationalist parties fare so badly in the election? Though the absence of opinion polls and comparable electoral data made it difficult in advance to gauge the extent of support for any party, nationalist candidates appeared to be well-organised and amply funded. The hardline nationalist Buddhist Committee for the Protection of Nationalism and Religion, known by its Myanmar acronym Ma Ba Tha, seemed to be enjoying nationwide support, whipping up crowds tens of thousands strong in its tour of the country during campaign season.
Before the election, the hardliners fomented anti-Muslim sentiment, sparred with the National League for Democracy and attempted to castigate the largest opposition as soft on Muslims while also throwing support behind President U Thein Sein. Rights groups and political analysts kept a wary eye on what was deemed a growing tide of radical Buddhist nationalism, warning that it could stymie the NLD in its goal to sweep the majority and provoke unrest.
Yet not a single candidate identifying as a nationalist was elected.
“In a profoundly Buddhist society which generally supported the four ‘race and religion’ bills promoted by Ma Ba Tha, voters have sent a quiet but clear message that political choice is their personal concern and that they are not influenced by Ma Ba Tha’s posturing,” said Derek Tonkin, former British ambassador to Thailand and chair of the non-profit Network Myanmar.
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