Myanmar’s junta chief announced plans for elections in December 2025 or January 2026, the first since the military coup in 2021. Despite claims of fairness, the political landscape is marred by ongoing violence and international criticism. The NLD has been dissolved, and the junta continues to face opposition amid a humanitarian crisis affecting millions in the country.
General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of Myanmar’s junta, announced plans to hold national elections in December 2025 or January 2026, marking the first elections since the military coup in 2021. He stated this during a visit to Belarus, emphasizing that the upcoming elections would be “free and fair.” According to his remarks in the state-run newspaper, the Global New Light of Myanmar, 53 political parties have expressed interest in participating in the vote.
Amidst significant turmoil, the military’s takeover was justified by unfounded claims of electoral fraud in the 2020 elections, where Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) faced a landslide victory. The junta has implemented a violent crackdown on dissent, which has further complicated its electoral plans, leading to repeated postponements that critics argue will result in illegitimate elections.
The election commission, loyal to the junta, dissolved the NLD in 2022 for not re-registering under new laws imposed by the military. In a meeting in Bangkok, the junta’s foreign minister claimed that progress is being made toward elections scheduled for 2025. However, the junta’s extension of the state of emergency has delayed any prospects of polling until at least the latter half of the year.
Southeast Asian foreign ministers have urged the junta to focus on achieving a ceasefire before holding elections, while Min Aung Hlaing maintained that “peace and stability is still needed” prior to lifting the state of emergency. The international community, particularly the United States, has dismissed any elections under the junta’s authority as a facade. Experts have also expressed skepticism, with many predicting that the elections could trigger further violence amidst this ongoing civil strife.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reports that the coup has led to the deaths of over 6,300 civilians, with more than 28,000 individuals detained. The ongoing conflict has displaced over 3.5 million people, leading to a humanitarian crisis, impacting approximately 19.9 million people who will require aid by 2025, as estimated by the United Nations.
In conclusion, the outlook for Myanmar’s upcoming elections remains bleak due to ongoing violence, human rights violations, and international condemnation. The junta’s assertions of a fair electoral process are met with skepticism, given the historical context of the coup and its repressive policies. With significant humanitarian needs arising from the conflict, the focus on stability and peace remains paramount before any credible electoral process can be established.
Original Source: www.guampdn.com
