The military-led administration was credited for bringing stability and improving infrastructure in the country, though it suppressed some civil liberties.

[3] However, only two years after his election victory, U Nu was overthrown in a coup d'état led by General Ne Win on 2 March 1962.

[6] Meanwhile, the "Clean" faction warned against the "dangers of fascist dictatorship",[7] and criticised the current leaders for their "drinking and womanising".

[8] The communist NUF was severely repressed by the caretaker military government and was therefore outside the two main parties.

[9] Polls closed at 6 pm and a crowd estimated at 20,000 gathered at the Sule Pagoda in the capital Rangoon to hear results as they were posted.