Background: History of Hate Speech in Myanmar Figure 3. The title of the book is “Murderous God,” and it is published by Buddhism and Cultural Preservation Group (affiliated with Ma Ba Tha). The book details and demonizes non-Buddhist religions. The actions of the government and the NLD in the lead up to the elections only reinforced di- visions, particularly against Muslim individuals and communities. Hundreds of thousands of Muslim voters were removed from voting lists, and many Muslim candidates were disqualified by the election commission on grounds of citizenship.128 Major political parties including the NLD asked Muslim members not to run, apparently yielding to pressure from Ma Ba Tha.129 Ultimately, in 2015, a mere 0.5% of the 6,074 registered candidates were Muslim.130 None were elected.131 Thus, the 2015 elec128 129 130 131 Ibid. Poppy McPherson, “No Vote, No Candidates: Myanmar’s Muslims Barred from Their Own Election,” The Guardian, November 2, 2015, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/03/no-vote-no-candidates-myanmars-muslims-barred-from-their-own-election. Holmes. Ibid. 27