2015 Myanmar general election

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2015 Myanmar general election
Flag of Myanmar.svg
  2010 8 November 2015 2020  

330 of the 440 seats in the House of Representatives
221 seats needed for a majority
168 of the 224 seats in the House of Nationalities
113 seats needed for a majority
 First partySecond party
  Remise du Prix Sakharov a Aung San Suu Kyi Strasbourg 22 octobre 2013-18.jpg HE Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (9292476975) (cropped).jpg
Leader Aung San Suu Kyi Thein Sein
Party NLD USDP
Leader since27 September 19882 June 2010
Leader's seat Kawhmu Did not contest
Last electionDid not contest259 R / 129 N
Seats before37 R / 4 N 212 R / 124 N
Seats won255 R / 135 N 30 R / 11 N
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 218 R / Increase2.svg 131 N Decrease2.svg 182 R / Decrease2.svg 113 N

Sector Map Gov Pyithu Hluttaw Election Results 2015-2018 IFES MIMU1351v03 10Sep2019 A3.pdf Sector Map Gov Amyotha Hluttaw Election Results 2015-2018 IFES MIMU1351v03 10Sep2019 A3.pdf 23-Sector Map Gov IFES St-Rg Hluttaw Election Results 2015 MIMU1351v01 05Feb2016 A3.pdf
Results of the election in the Pyithu Hluttaw, Amyotha Hluttaw, as well as State and Regional Hluttaws. Includes results of by-elections up to 2018.

President before election

Thein Sein
USDP

President after election

Htin Kyaw
NLD

General elections were held in Myanmar on 8 November 2015, with the National League for Democracy winning a supermajority of seats in the combined national parliament. [1] Voting occurred in all constituencies, excluding seats appointed by the military, to select Members of Assembly to seats in both the upper house (the House of Nationalities) and the lower house (the House of Representatives) of the Assembly of the Union, and State and Region Hluttaws. Ethnic Affairs Ministers were also elected by their designated electorates on the same day, although only select ethnic minorities in particular states and regions were entitled to vote for them.

Contents

These polls were the first openly contested election held in the country since 1990, which was annulled by the military government after the National League for Democracy's (NLD) victory. The poll was preceded by the 2010 general election, which was marred by a boycott and widespread allegations of systematic fraud by the victorious Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

The NLD won a sweeping victory, taking 86 percent of the seats in the Assembly of the Union (235 in the House of Representatives and 135 in the House of Nationalities), well more than the 67 percent supermajority needed to ensure that its preferred candidates would be elected president and second vice president in the Presidential Electoral College. While the NLD only needed a simple majority to carry on the normal business of government, it needed at least 67 percent to outvote the combined pro-military bloc in the Presidential Electoral College (the USDP and the appointed legislators representing the military). Although NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi is constitutionally barred from the presidency (as both her late husband and her children are foreign citizens), she was made the de facto head of government, after being appointed to a newly created office, the State Counsellor of Myanmar. [2]

Preparation

As the election approached, the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party confirmed it would contest its winning constituencies from 2010. [3] The opposition National League for Democracy party confirmed it would contest even if a constitutional measure barring Aung San Suu Kyi from running for president was not amended. [4]

The National Unity Party confirmed it would review its winning seats from 2010 and would consider other constituencies to challenge. The National Democratic Force said the party was prepared to challenge in as many as 200 constituencies but was still determining candidates. Ethnic political groups would contest in each state based on ethnic party strongholds, although some indicated they would consider forming an alliance as the Federal Union Party.

Before the election, 91 political parties were registered to take part in 2015.

In July 2015, Myanmar's Union Election Commission (UEC) designated the number of constituencies for running in the 2015 general election of four levels of parliamentary representatives: 330 constituencies for elections to the House of Representatives (the lower house), 168 for the House of Nationalities (the upper house), 644 for the State and Regional Hluttaws (local parliaments) and 29 for ethnic ministers of the local parliaments. The UEC also issued procedures for international observers to follow in monitoring the election, which was preliminarily scheduled for the end of October or the beginning of November. [5]

The Union Election Commission cancelled elections in Kyethi and Mong Hsu townships in Shan State following armed clashes between the Tatmadaw and the insurgent Shan State Army - North. Despite calls by the Shan State Progressive Party to proceed with the elections, the UEC has denied the request, stating that it is not possible to hold free and fair elections in these areas. Elections were further cancelled in some villages in Hopang, Namtit, both of which fall within the nation's Wa Self-Administered Division, and under the control of the insurgent United Wa State Army. The cancellation of these elections will see the vacancy of 7 seats in the House of Representatives and 14 seats in the Shan State Hluttaw.

Cancellation of by-elections

By-elections had been scheduled to be held in November or December 2014, to elect members for six seats in the House of Nationalities, 13 in the House of Representatives, and 11 in state and regional legislatures. The seat vacancies were primarily the result of their former holders' moves to ministerial posts or departmental positions within government, but also included some other constituencies where representatives had died. [6] [7] [8] [9] The by-elections were expected to indicate the relative strengths of the contending parties, including President Thein Sein's Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party led by Aung San Suu Kyi. [7]

On 7 September 2014, the Union Election Commission cancelled the by-election because the period for campaigning would take place too close to that of the general elections in 2015 and because the results would therefore not have had any political significance. [10] [11]

Possible presidential candidates

Before election

In the event of a USDP victory, President Thein Sein was considered the frontrunner to continue as President after the election. Commander-in-Chief of the Military Min Aung Hlaing is close to retirement and was another favourite for the presidency, but may assume the role after a transitional period headed by another ex-military figure. Aung San Suu Kyi has reiterated her desire to become the next president but constitutional changes need to take place before she would be allowed to run. [12] Although Parliament voted against most constitutional amendments on 25 June 2015 meaning that Aung San Suu Kyi cannot become president in the election, [13] Suu Kyi later stated that she would be "above the President" if the NLD won the elections. [14]

Shwe Mann, the former No. 3 in the junta who is now speaker of House of Representatives, considered reform-minded, was the most likely figure to take the mantle from Thein Sein until he was removed from his position within the party on 12 August 2015. [15] [16]

After election

While National League for Democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is constitutionally barred from the presidency, former commander-in-chief of Tatmadaw Tin Oo, Aung San Suu Kyi's personal physician Tin Myo Win, Htin Kyaw, Myo Aung and Tin Mar Aung are mentioned as possible presidential picks and Khun Htun Oo, Sai Nyunt Lwin and Aye Thar Aung are mentioned as possible vice presidential picks after the election. [17] [18] On 10 March 2016, Htin Kyaw and Henry Van Thio were nominated as the Vice Presidents of Myanmar by NLD. Htin Kyaw was elected as the ninth president of Myanmar on 15 March 2016 by 360 of the 652 MPs at the Assembly of the Union; Aung San Suu Kyi was appointed as the State Counsellor, a position similar to Prime Minister, on 6 April 2016.

Results

A polling station used for elections. The ballot boxes are at the front, while the voting booths are at the rear. Myanmar election 2015.jpg
A polling station used for elections. The ballot boxes are at the front, while the voting booths are at the rear.

The National League for Democracy (NLD) obtained a majority of the total seats in both the House of Nationalities and the House of Representatives of the Assembly of the Union, which is enough for its nominees to win election as president and first vice president in the Presidential Electoral College, and for control over national legislation. [19]

The NLD also received a majority of total combined seats in the State and Regional Hluttaws, including 21 of 29 Ministers of Ethnic Affairs. With the final tally of all elected seats (township and ethnic), it is believed they will have the ability to control most local governments and parliaments, either entirely on its own or with the support of ethnic parties. The exceptions to this are the Rakhine State Hluttaw, where the Arakan National Party won a plurality of total seats and is expected to govern with the NLD's support, and the Shan State Hluttaw, where the USDP (which won a plurality of elected seats) and Military Representatives control roughly equal seats to the combined total of the various other parties, led by the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy and the NLD in second and third place, respectively.

House of Nationalities

A ballot paper and rubber stamp in voting booth Myanmar election 2015 ballot paper.jpg
A ballot paper and rubber stamp in voting booth

168 of the 224 seats in the House of Nationalities (Amyotha Hluttaw) were up for election. The remaining 56 seats (25%) were not elected, and instead reserved for military appointees (taken from Tatmadaw personnel; officially known as "Defence Services Personnel Representatives"). There are 12 members elected per state/region, including one member from each self-administered zone.

2015 Amyotha Hluttaw Parliament.svg
PartyVotes%Seats
National League for Democracy 13,100,67357.68135
Union Solidarity and Development Party 6,406,10828.2012
Arakan National Party 501,9622.2110
National Unity Party 437,3611.931
Shan Nationalities League for Democracy 362,3601.603
National Development Party 227,2351.000
Myanmar Farmers Development Party 214,8130.950
Pa-O National Organisation 158,7880.701
Shan Nationalities Democratic Party 123,1980.540
Kayin People's Party 120,3350.530
Ta'ang National Party 93,2420.411
National Democratic Force 92,6380.410
Mon National Party 78,9140.351
Tai-Leng Nationalities Development Party 70,4790.310
All Mon Region Democracy Party 54,1300.240
Phalon-Sawaw Democratic Party 40,0390.180
The 88 Generation Students Youth35,6430.160
Danu National Democracy Party31,6470.140
Chin National Democratic Party29,5610.130
Kachin State Democracy Party 27,1050.120
Democratic Party 24,6640.110
United Democratic Party24,2030.110
Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State 22,2340.100
Union Pa-O National Organisation19,0070.080
Inn National Development Party 15,5160.070
Zomi Congress for Democracy 14,6890.062
Kachin National Congress for Democracy14,0090.060
Lahu National Development Party 12,7070.060
Rakhine State National United Party12,6420.060
Chin League for Democracy10,4810.050
Kayin State Democracy and Development Party 9,4920.040
Mro National Democracy Party9,4870.040
Lisu National Development Party 9,1770.040
Federal Union Party 9,1030.040
New National Democracy Party8,2740.040
All Nationals' Democracy Party Kayah State8,0100.040
Chin Progressive Party 7,8570.030
Kayin Democratic Party6,7610.030
People's Party of Myanmar Farmers and Workers 6,2940.030
Kachin Democratic Party6,1180.030
Democratic Party for A New Society6,0990.030
Kayah Unity Democracy Party5,6250.020
Arakan Patriot Party5,4770.020
Danu National Organisation Party5,2580.020
Khumi (Khami) National Party4,8820.020
Women Party (Mon)4,6760.020
Lhaovo National Unity and Development Party4,0460.020
Ethnic National Development Party3,8230.020
Eastern Shan State Development Democratic Party3,6410.020
Kayan National Party 3,5430.020
Dawei Nationality Party3,0810.010
Wa National Unity Party 2,9900.010
Democracy and Peace Party 2,9060.010
Daingnet National Development Party2,7230.010
Kayin Unity Democratic Party2,6800.010
Myanmar National Congress Party2,6220.010
Wa Democratic Party 2,4700.010
Public Contribute Students Democracy Party2,3860.010
Shan State Kokang Democratic Party 2,2940.010
Union Democratic Party 2,2440.010
Confederate Farmers Party 2,1330.010
Mro National Development Party 1,8120.010
Shan-Ni & Northern Shan Ethnics Solidarity Party1,3010.010
Guiding Star Party1,1970.010
National Prosperity Party1,0460.000
Zo National Region Development Party8930.000
Ka Man National Development Party7410.000
Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics 7300.000
Mro Nationality Party3290.000
New Society Party2920.000
88 Generation Democracy Party2860.000
Independents173,4550.762
Military appointees56
Total22,714,637100.00224
Valid votes22,714,63794.85
Invalid/blank votes1,232,0725.15
Total votes23,946,709100.00
Registered voters/turnout34,295,33469.82
Source: UEC, IPU

The list of military appointees was published as the UEC Announcement 2/2016. [21]

House of Representatives

There are 330 of 440 seats in the House of Representatives (Pyithu Hluttaw) that are elected, of which 323 were filled after seven seats were cancelled due to the ongoing armed insurgencies in Shan State. [22] The remaining 110 seats (25%) were not elected, and instead reserved for military appointees (taken from Tatmadaw personnel; officially known as "Defence Services Personnel Representatives"). Members are elected to constituencies based on township and population.

2015 Pyithu Hluttaw Parliament.svg
PartyVotes%Seats
National League for Democracy 12,821,89957.20255
Union Solidarity and Development Party 6,349,87928.3330
Arakan National Party 490,6642.1912
National Unity Party 418,4431.870
Shan Nationalities League for Democracy 357,9281.6012
National Development Party 228,4831.020
Pa-O National Organisation 224,6731.003
Myanmar Farmers Development Party 173,4200.770
Shan Nationalities Democratic Party 120,8150.540
National Democratic Force 113,2920.510
Mon National Party 94,7210.420
Ta'ang National Party 86,3940.393
Kayin People's Party 71,7760.320
Tai-Leng Nationalities Development Party 62,9070.280
The 88 Generation Students Youth47,7630.210
All Mon Region Democracy Party 44,7980.200
Phalon-Sawaw Democratic Party 37,0100.170
Chin National Democratic Party30,9570.140
Kachin State Democracy Party 27,6820.121
Zomi Congress for Democracy 27,1420.122
Lisu National Development Party 24,0960.112
Danu National Democracy Party22,5440.100
Lahu National Development Party 19,9880.090
Democratic Party 19,3250.090
United Democratic Party18,6830.080
Chin League for Democracy17,1170.080
Rakhine State National United Party16,2970.070
Democratic Party for a New Society 14,7080.070
Kokang Democracy and Unity Party 13,9900.061
Federal Union Party 12,9720.060
Kayin Democratic Party12,3720.060
Wa National Unity Party 11,7600.050
Kachin National Congress for Democracy11,5440.050
Kayin Democratic Party–Kayin People's Party 11,1340.050
Kachin Democratic Party11,0820.050
Karen National Party 10,8610.050
Arakan Patriot Party10,4390.050
Kayan National Party 9,9530.040
New National Democracy Party9,1240.040
Wa Democratic Party 8,2160.041
People's Party of Myanmar Farmers and Workers 7,9650.040
Modern People Party7,8480.040
Inn National Development Party 7,1600.030
Myanmar National Congress Party6,8450.030
Lhaovo National Unity and Development Party6,5070.030
Union Pao National Organisation6,2810.030
Chin Progressive Party 6,2120.030
Khumi (Khami) National Party5,6940.030
All Nationals' Democracy Party Kayah State5,6260.030
Khami National Development Party5,1110.020
Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics 4,6950.020
Inn National League Party4,3220.020
Danu National Organisation Party4,2750.020
New Society Party3,8330.020
Public Contribute Students Democracy Party3,5090.020
Kayah Unity Democracy Party3,5010.020
Guiding Star Party3,4960.020
Mro National Democracy Party3,3890.020
Confederate Farmers Party 3,2830.010
Peace for Diversity Party3,1000.010
Democracy Party for Myanmar New Society3,0420.010
Asho Chin National Party3,0380.010
National Unity Congress Party2,8320.010
Eastern Shan State Development Democratic Party2,3370.010
Dawei Nationality Party2,2200.010
Shan State Kokang Democratic Party 2,0710.010
Akha National Development Party 2,0380.010
National Prosperity Party2,0050.010
National Unity PartyNational Development Party 1,7090.010
Democracy and Peace Party 1,3740.010
Union Farmer Force Party1,2660.010
Union Democratic Party 1,1060.000
Shan-Ni & Northern Shan Ethnics Solidarity Party1,0750.000
Mro National Development Party 1,0530.000
Women Party (Mon)8920.000
Negotiation, Stability and Peace Party8000.000
Zo National Region Development Party5410.000
People Democracy Party3400.000
Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State 2390.000
Ka Man National Development Party1210.000
National Democratic Party for Development1010.000
New Era Union Party240.000
Independents166,5830.741
Military appointees110
Vacant7
Total22,416,310100.00440
Valid votes22,416,31093.75
Invalid/blank votes1,495,4746.25
Total votes23,911,784100.00
Registered voters/turnout34,295,33469.72
Source: UEC, IPU

The list of military appointees was published as the UEC Announcement 1/2016. [24]

State and Regional Hluttaws

There are 644 district seats [25] (out of a total of 864) [lower-alpha 1] [lower-alpha 2] in the State and Regional Hluttaws, or Local Assemblies, of which 630 were up for election after 14 seats were cancelled due to the ongoing armed insurgencies in Shan State. These figures exclude the 29 elected Ethnic Affairs Ministers, who have different election parameters and their accountability solely to an ethnic electorate, but also sit alongside the elected district and appointed military members of their respective state/region. There are two members are elected for each township of the state/region. The remaining 220 seats [26] (approximately 25% of each assembly) were not elected, and instead reserved for military appointees (taken from Tatmadaw personnel; officially known as "Defence Services Personnel Representatives").

PartySeats+/–
National League for Democracy 476New
Union Solidarity and Development Party 73–411
Shan Nationalities League for Democracy 25+21
Arakan National Party 22+4
Ta'ang National Party 7+3
Pa-O National Organisation 60
Kachin State Democracy Party 3New
Lisu National Development Party 2New
Mon National Party 2New
Wa Democratic Party 2+2
Zomi Congress for Democracy 2+2
All Mon Region Democracy Party 1–7
Democratic Party 1–2
Kayin People's Party 1–1
Kokang Democracy and Unity Party 1+1
Lahu National Development Party 10
Shan Nationalities Democratic Party 1–30
Tai-Leng Nationalities Development Party 1New
Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State 1–1
Wa National Unity Party 1+1
Other parties0–27
Independents1–2
Military appointees2200
Vacant14
Total864
Source: The Irrawaddy, [27] [ failed verification ] The Myanmar Times, [23]

The list of military appointees was published as the UEC Announcement 3/2016. [28]

Ethnic Affairs Ministers

29 Ministers of Ethnic Affairs for the State and Regional Assemblies were up for election.

"Under the 2008 Constitution, ethnic affairs ministers are elected to a given state or division if that division is comprised of an ethnic minority population of 0.1 percent or greater of the total populace [roughly 51,400 people]. [29] If one of the country's ethnic minorities counts a state as its namesake, however, it is not granted an ethnic affairs minister (e.g., there is no Mon ethnic affairs minister in Mon State). Only voters who share an ethnic identity with a given ethnic affairs minister post are allowed to vote for candidates to the position." [30] Ministers are not elected for ethnicities that are a majority of their state or region, or where a state/region already has a self-administered region or self-administered division dedicated to those ethnic groups. [29]

PartySeats+/–
National League for Democracy 21New
Union Solidarity and Development Party 2–9
Arakan National Party 1+1
Akha National Development Party 1+1
Lahu National Development Party 1+1
Lisu National Development Party 1+1
Tai-Leng Nationalities Development Party 1New
Shan Nationalities League for Democracy 0–1
Other parties0–6
Independents10
Total29
Source: UEC [31]

Reactions

On 9 November 2015, former chairperson of the Union Solidarity and Development Party and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Shwe Mann, conceded defeat to the National League for Democracy's Than Nyunt in his hometown constituency of Phyu, announcing on his Facebook that he had 'personally congratulated' his opponent for the victory. [32]

On 9 November 2015, acting chairperson of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, Htay Oo, announced that the party had conceded defeat in a statement to Reuters. [33]

On 11 November 2015, chairperson of the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, called for 'national reconciliation' talks with incumbent president, Thein Sein, commander-in-chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Shwe Mann to be set for a later date. All have accepted her invitation. [34]

On 12 November 2015, incumbent President of Myanmar, Thein Sein, who has led political reforms during his tenure, congratulated Aung San Suu Kyi and her party on his Facebook, promising that his current government will 'respect and obey' the election results and 'transfer power peacefully'. Commander-in-chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, also took to his Facebook to congratulate Suu Kyi, vowing that the Tatmadaw will co-operate with the new government following the transition. This was after a meeting conducted within the Tatmadaw's top ranks. [35] US President Barack Obama and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Suu Kyi on her victory and praised Thein Sein for his organisation of the election. [36] Suu Kyi also received calls from French President François Hollande, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Philippine President Benigno Aquino III. [37] [38]

Political transition

Myanmar's recent political history is underlined by its struggle to establish democratic structures amidst conflicting factions. This political transition from a closely held military rule to a free democratic system is widely believed to be determining the future of Myanmar. The resounding victory of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy in 2015 general elections has raised hope for a successful culmination of this transition. [39] [40]

The 2017 murder of Ko Ni, a prominent Muslim lawyer and a key member of Myanmar’s governing National League for Democracy party and the Rohingya genocide is seen as a serious blow to the country’s fragile democracy. Mr. Ko Ni’s murder has caused fears about the removal of a trusted advisor for Aung San Suu Kyi, particularly in regards to reforming Myanmar’s military-drafted Constitution and ushering the country to democracy. [41]

Controversy

Controversy has been raised over such issues as inaccurate voter lists, cancellation of voting in some violent areas, vilification of Burmese Muslims as a campaign tool, [42] and the ineligibility to vote of the Muslim Rohingyas. [43] According to The Economist , "No matter how many millions of Burmese vote against the Union Solidarity and Development Party, which rules the country and is backed by the army, the army will remain the real power in Myanmar." [44]

There have been allegations of fraud in many townships where unknown ballots cast as advance votes boosted the results of the Union Solidarity Development Party. The Union Election Commission has defended these votes, stating that they had arrived before the polling booths closed, and thus they were legitimate votes. In Lashio, where the National League for Democracy was expected to win, there are allegations of voting fraud which pulled USDP candidate and incumbent vice-president Sai Mauk Kham forward by more than 4000 votes. The NLD, Shan Nationalities League for Democracy and Shan Nationalities Democratic Party have agreed to file a complaint with the Union Election Commission. The UEC responded by declaring that the victory of Sai Mauk Kham was legal and that no fraud had taken place. [45]

Notes

  1. Sum of the number of seats for election (644) and for the military (220)
  2. EODS reported a total of 860. [25]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Myanmar general election</span>

General elections were held in Myanmar on 8 November 2020. Voting occurred in all constituencies, excluding seats appointed by or reserved for the military, to elect members to both the upper house — the Amyotha Hluttaw and the lower house — the Pyithu Hluttaw of the Assembly of the Union, as well as State and Regional Hluttaws (legislatures). Ethnic Affairs Ministers were also elected by their designated electorates on the same day, although only select ethnic minorities in particular states and regions were entitled to vote for them. A total of 1,171 national, state, and regional seats were contested in the election, with polling having taken place in all townships, including areas considered conflict zones and self-administered regions.

Thein Nyunt is a Burmese lawyer, columnist, and politician. He served on Myanmar's State Administration Council from 2021 to 2023. A former member of the National League for Democracy (NLD), he founded the New National Democracy Party and co-founded the National Democratic Force (NDF) after splitting from the NLD. Thein Nyunt served as an MP for the Pyithu Hluttaw, representing Thingangyun Township, from 2011 to 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Next Myanmar general election</span> Upcoming national election

Myanmar's military government plans to hold a general election for elected seats in the Amyotha Hluttaw and the Pyithu Hluttaw of the Assembly of the Union, currently dissolved, at an unspecified time in the future. The planned election would be the first after the 2021 military coup d'état. Though military ruler Min Aung Hlaing initially promised to hold the election by August 2023, the military has since indefinitely delayed the election in the face of increasing violence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Myanmar presidential election</span> 2011 indirect election for the Myanmar head of state/government

Indirect presidential elections were held in Myanmar on 4 February 2011, after the 2010 general election. Members of the Assembly of the Union voted for the country's President, and two Vice-Presidents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Myanmar presidential election</span>

Indirect presidential elections were held in Myanmar on 15 March 2016, after the 2015 general election. Members of the Assembly of the Union voted for the country's President, and two Vice-Presidents.

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