Five years ago, historic elections elevated Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy to power after a long and peaceful struggle against military rule. The nation votes again Nov. 8, 2020 in what will be a popularity test of her civilian government.
Myanmar's democratic path since then has been a bumpy one. The military still wields major political power, impeding reform. The country remains wracked by ethnic conflict. The COVID-19 pandemic, which has prompted calls by some opposition parties for the election to be postponed, has bruised an economy still grappling with widespread poverty.
So can Suu Kyi propel the NLD to another convincing victory? Or could the pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party bounce back from its devastating defeat in 2015? And will emerging parties, particularly those representing ethnic minorities, become the kingmakers of a new coalition government? Nov. 8 should provide the answers and chart the next course for Myanmar's democratic journey.
Lower House/Pyithu Hluttaw
Upper House/Amyothar Hluttaw
On security grounds, the Union Election Commission has cancelled voting in some townships, meaning that the following totals of parliamentary seats will not be contested on Nov. 8.
Lower House: 15 out of 330 elected seats (nine in Rakhine State, six in Shan State).
Upper House: seven out of 168 elected seats (all in Rakhine State).
State and Regional Assemblies: 30 seats out of 673 seats (27 in Rakhine State, three in Shan State).
Myanmar Interactive Map
| State/Region | Population | Voters | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kachin State | 1,600,000 | 800,000 | 503 |
| Kayah State | 300,000 | 170,000 | 225 |
| Kayin State | 1,400,000 | 870,000 | 256 |
| Chin State | 500,000 | 270,000 | 202 |
| Mon State | 2,000,000 | 1,400,000 | 280 |
| Rakhine State | 3,000,000 | 1,000,000 | 354 |
| Shan State | 6,000,000 | 3,000,000 | 866 |
| Sagaing Region | 5,200,000 | 3,800,000 | 503 |
| Bago Region | 6,000,000 | 3,400,000 | 546 |
| Mandalay Region | 6,100,000 | 4,100,000 | 399 |
| Taninthayi Region | 1,400,000 | 900,000 | 178 |
| Ayeyarwaddy Region | 6,100,000 | 4,300,000 | 503 |
| Yangon Region | 7,000,000 | 5,000,000 | 799 |
| Magwe Region | 4,000,000 | 300,0000 | 407 |
| Nay Pyi Taw | 1,000,000 | 600,000 | 43 |
ETHNIC MINORITIES PARTIES
Web page produced by: Minh-Ha Le
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Graphic illustrations: Vince Meadows
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Photos: AP, AFP, RFA, Reuters
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Video: Chris Billing
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Information: RFA Burmese service, Roseanne Gerin
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Editing: H. Leo Kim, Mat Pennington
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Produced by Radio Free Asia
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