2018 Myanmar presidential election

An indirect presidential by-election was held in Myanmar on 28 March 2018. It was after the resignation of Htin Kyaw. Members of the Assembly of the Union voted for his replacement.

2018 Myanmar presidential by-election

← 2016 28 March 2018 Next →
Turnout96.80%
 
Nominee Win Myint Myint Swe
Party NLD USDP
Electoral vote 403 211
Percentage 63.77% 33.39%
Committee Pyithu Hluttaw Tatmadaw[a]

President before election

Htin Kyaw (NLD)
Myint Swe (USDP) (Acting President)

Elected President

Win Myint
NLD

The election was the first by-election presidential election held under the 2008 constitution.

Win Myint was elected president.

Electoral system

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Under the 2008 constitution, Myanmar has a President, and two Vice-Presidents. They are elected by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, the national legislature.

The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw consists of two chambers, Pyithu Hluttaw, and Amyotha Hluttaw. Most seats are directly elected. But a quarter of the seats in both chambers are appointed by the Tatmadaw.

Chamber Type MPs
Pyithu Hluttaw Directly-elected 330
Military-appointed 110
Amyotha Hluttaw Directly-elected 168
Military-appointed 56

The Presidential Electoral College is made up of three committees:

  • The directly elected MPs from Pyithu Hluttaw (330).
  • The directly elected MPs from Amyotha Hluttaw (168).
  • The military appointees in both chambers (166).

Candidates

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Win Myint was nominated by the committee from Pyithu Hluttaw. He was a member of that house from the Tamwe Township. He was also the Speaker. Thaung Aye, a member of the Pyithu Hluttaw from the Pyawbwe Township, was nominated by the USDP.

The nomination election occurred on 23 March 2018.

CandidatePartyVotes%
Win MyintNational League for Democracy27391.00
Thaung AyeUnion Solidarity and Development Party279.00
Total300100.00
Valid votes30098.68
Invalid/blank votes41.32
Total votes304100.00
Registered voters/turnout32394.12

Seven Pyithu Hluttaw seats were vacant.

Myint Swe (USDP) and Henry Van Thio (NLD) were the Vice-Presidents, and therefore became candidates.

  1. Swe was the 1st Vice-President at the time of the election. He was nominated by the Tatmadaw at the 2016 election, and was therefore automatically a candidate.

References

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