Myanmar’s junta chief General Min Aung Hlaing announced elections will occur in December 2025 or January 2026, despite ongoing violence and skepticism about their legitimacy. The Junta faces internal and external opposition, with numerous fatalities and displacements since the 2021 coup, raising concerns about the election’s fairness and the humanitarian crisis.
General Min Aung Hlaing, the chief of Myanmar’s junta, announced plans for the nation’s first elections since the military coup in 2021, aiming for a vote in December 2025 or January 2026. He emphasized the elections would be “free and fair,” as reported in the state-run newspaper, Global New Light of Myanmar. Min Aung Hlaing noted that 53 political parties had submitted lists to participate and encouraged participation from Belarusian observation teams during a meeting with President Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The military took control in 2021, alleging electoral fraud in the 2020 elections won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD). Since the takeover, the junta has enacted harsh measures against dissent, leading to widespread violence and delayed electoral processes. Critics doubt the integrity of any elections, citing ongoing conflicts with ethnic groups and anti-junta forces.
In 2022, the military-dominated election commission dissolved the NLD for not complying with stringent new electoral laws. Despite earlier promises, the junta extended the state of emergency, pushing the election timeline further into 2025. During regional discussions in January, Southeast Asian ministers urged the junta to focus on achieving a ceasefire over conducting elections.
Concerns regarding the forthcoming elections have been voiced by the United States and numerous analysts, labeling them a potential “sham” while warning of possible violent repercussions from military opposition. In a joint statement, electoral experts firmly rejected the junta’s electoral plans, underscoring a lack of democracy.
The violent aftermath of the coup has resulted in over 6,300 civilian deaths and approximately 28,000 arrests, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). Internally, over 3.5 million individuals have displaced from their homes, and a significant portion of Myanmar’s population will require humanitarian assistance by 2025, as highlighted by United Nations projections.
In summary, the Myanmar junta has proposed to conduct elections in late 2025 or early 2026 amid widespread violence and opposition. The authenticity of these elections is under scrutiny, with critics stressing that they may not be free or fair. The military’s continued crackdown on dissent and the dire humanitarian situation further complicate the prospect of a legitimate electoral process in the nation.
Original Source: www.gjsentinel.com
