Myanmar’s junta plans to hold elections in December 2025 or January 2026, the first since the 2021 coup. General Min Aung Hlaing claims the elections will be free and fair, despite skepticism from critics. The junta’s crackdown and ongoing conflicts raise concerns about the legitimacy and potential violence surrounding these elections.
Myanmar’s military junta chief has announced plans to hold an election in December 2025 or January 2026, marking the first electoral process since the military coup in 2021. General Min Aung Hlaing stated this in an article published by state media, asserting that the elections would be “free and fair.” He mentioned that 53 political parties have submitted their participation lists and extended an invitation to Belarusian observers during his meeting with President Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The junta seized power in 2021, alleging electoral fraud in the previous elections won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD). Since then, the military has faced significant opposition and dissent, leading to harsh crackdowns and ongoing conflicts that have delayed electoral processes, with critics expressing doubts regarding the fairness of upcoming polls.
In 2022, the junta’s election commission dissolved the NLD for non-compliance with new electoral requirements. The military regime has subsequently extended a state of emergency multiple times, undermining the feasibility of holding elections. Southeast Asian foreign ministers have urged the junta to focus on achieving peace and a ceasefire before proceeding with elections.
Experts, including those from the United States, have condemned any potential elections under the junta as a “sham,” citing fears of increased violence as military opponents may target the polls. Reports indicate that since the coup, over 6,300 civilians have been killed and more than 28,000 arrested, with millions displaced and in need of humanitarian aid.
The announcement of elections in Myanmar by the military junta raises numerous concerns regarding their legitimacy amid ongoing conflicts and repression. With widespread opposition and skepticism about the fairness of the electoral process, experts warn of potential violence and further humanitarian crises. The international community has urged the junta to prioritize peace over electoral ambitions, highlighting the severe ramifications of a poorly conducted electoral process in the current volatile environment.
Original Source: www.gjsentinel.com
