Burmese general election, 1947
Encyclopedia
General elections were held in Burma on 9 April 1947 to form the basis of a constituent assembly
which would design a constitution once independence from the United Kingdom
had been achieved. They were the first elections in Burma since its separation from India
under the British Raj
. Voter turnout was 49.8%.
on a visit to London
and British Prime Minister
Clement Attlee
guaranteeing Burma's independence from Britain within a year.
(AFPFL) ran unopposed, and in constituencies where challenges took place, turnout was around 50%. U Saw
, leader of the Myochit Party (Burmese Nationalists), accused the AFPFL of intimidation and corruption during the election campaign and boycotted the election, as did Ba Sein and his party, accusing the AFPFL of being a "stooges" of British imperialism. Reasons given for the low turnout included the instability left by the Japanese occupation of Burma
and the struggle for independence. Other candidates in the election included a few independents and communists
. The election was certified as free and fair.
. A constitution was approved on 24 September 1947 and independence granted on 4 January 1948.
Constituent assembly
A constituent assembly is a body composed for the purpose of drafting or adopting a constitution...
which would design a constitution once independence from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
had been achieved. They were the first elections in Burma since its separation from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
under the British Raj
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
. Voter turnout was 49.8%.
Background
The elections were among a number of provisions agreed on 27 January 1947 between Burmese nationalist Aung SanAung San
Bogyoke Aung San ; 13 February 1915 – 19 July 1947) was a Burmese revolutionary, nationalist, and founder of the modern Burmese army, the Tatmadaw....
on a visit to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and British Prime Minister
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
Clement Attlee
Clement Attlee
Clement Richard Attlee, 1st Earl Attlee, KG, OM, CH, PC, FRS was a British Labour politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951, and as the Leader of the Labour Party from 1935 to 1955...
guaranteeing Burma's independence from Britain within a year.
Polling day
Turnout was generally low. In 56 non-communal constituencies, candidates from the Anti-Fascist People's Freedom LeagueAnti-Fascist People's Freedom League
The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League , or hpa hsa pa la by its Burmese acronym, was the main political party in Burma from 1945 until 1962...
(AFPFL) ran unopposed, and in constituencies where challenges took place, turnout was around 50%. U Saw
U Saw
U Saw aka Galon U Saw was a leading Burmese politician and Prime Minister during the colonial era before the Second World War. He is best known for his role in the assassination of Burma's national hero Aung San and other independence leaders in July 1947, only months before Burma gained...
, leader of the Myochit Party (Burmese Nationalists), accused the AFPFL of intimidation and corruption during the election campaign and boycotted the election, as did Ba Sein and his party, accusing the AFPFL of being a "stooges" of British imperialism. Reasons given for the low turnout included the instability left by the Japanese occupation of Burma
Japanese occupation of Burma
The Japanese occupation of Burma refers to the period between 1942 and 1945 during World War II, when Burma was a part of the Empire of Japan. The Japanese had assisted formation of the Burma Independence Army, and trained the Thirty Comrades, who were the founders of the modern Armed Forces...
and the struggle for independence. Other candidates in the election included a few independents and communists
Communist Party of Burma
The Communist Party of Burma is the oldest existing political party in Burma. The party is unrecognised by the Burmese authorities, rendering it illegal; so it operates in a clandestine manner, often associating with insurgent armies along the border of People's Republic of China...
. The election was certified as free and fair.
Results
| Party | Votes | % | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League , or hpa hsa pa la by its Burmese acronym, was the main political party in Burma from 1945 until 1962... |
1,755,000 | 173 | |
| Communist Party of Burma Communist Party of Burma The Communist Party of Burma is the oldest existing political party in Burma. The party is unrecognised by the Burmese authorities, rendering it illegal; so it operates in a clandestine manner, often associating with insurgent armies along the border of People's Republic of China... |
126,000 | 7 | |
| Karen Youth Organisation | 109,000 | 19 | |
| Independent Karen | 5 | ||
| Anglo-Burmans | 4 | ||
| Independents | 2 | ||
| Invalid/blank votes | |||
| Total | 100 | 210 | |
| Source: Nohlen et al. | |||
Aftermath
On 19 July 1947, Aung San was assassinated along with six other members of the party and the leadership of the AFPFL was taken over by U NuU Nu
For other people with the Burmese name Nu, see Nu .U Nu was a leading Burmese nationalist and political figure of the 20th century...
. A constitution was approved on 24 September 1947 and independence granted on 4 January 1948.