Myanmar’s military leader announced a general election set for late 2025 or early 2026 amid ongoing civil conflict. With 53 political parties expressing intent to participate, concerns rise over the election’s fairness due to media restrictions and the imprisonment of pro-democracy leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi. The National Unity Government plans to resist the military’s electoral efforts.
Myanmar’s military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, has announced that a general election will occur within the next ten months, specifically targeting December 2025 or January 2026. This declaration was made during a press conference in Belarus, with state-run media reporting that 53 political parties have submitted lists to participate in the electoral process, although no exact dates were given.
The context of this announcement is crucial, as Myanmar is currently experiencing a civil war where the military is facing significant resistance from pro-democracy militants and ethnic militias. Since the military coup in February 2021, which ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government, there has been widespread civil unrest and armed conflict, leading to questions about the viability of a fair electoral process.
Critics argue that the upcoming election is an attempt by the military to legitimize its power while ensuring that it continues to govern. There are serious concerns regarding the fairness of the election; many believe it will not be democratic as the media is heavily restricted and many leaders of the National League for Democracy have been imprisoned, including Suu Kyi, who is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence.
The military’s control over the country is also uncertain, holding power in less than half of Myanmar, which poses challenges for conducting elections in areas under its authority. Previous attempts, such as a census for voter list compilation, were unsuccessful in reaching areas controlled by ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces. The National Unity Government, the primary opposition group, plans to resist the military’s election efforts through nonviolent strategies.
The announcement of a general election by Myanmar’s military leader highlights the complex political landscape characterized by ongoing civil conflict and significant opposition to military rule. The likelihood of a free and fair election remains questionable, given the absence of media freedom and the oppression of dissenting political voices. The opposition’s intent to resist the military-controlled electoral process underlines the ongoing struggle for democracy in Myanmar.
Original Source: apnews.com
