Myanmar’s Military Leader Declares Dates for Upcoming General Election

Myanmar’s military leader, General Min Aung Hlaing, announced plans for a general election by January 2026 amidst ongoing civil conflict. Critics doubt the election’s fairness due to the military’s control and the suppression of opposition figures. The National Unity Government opposes the military-backed election plans, adding to the country’s instability.

Myanmar’s military leader has publicly announced the dates for a forthcoming general election, scheduled to occur within 10 months. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing indicated that the election will take place in either December 2025 or January 2026 at the latest, as reported by state-run media. This declaration was made during a press conference while he visited Belarus, a rare ally of Myanmar’s military government. He noted that 53 political parties have submitted their lists to participate in the electoral process, though he did not specify exact election dates.

This announcement arrives amidst ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar, wherein the military has found itself on the defensive against pro-democracy militants and ethnic militias pursuing autonomy. Since the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in February 2021, popular opposition has surged, leading to armed resistance across large portions of the country. While the military government has asserted that conducting a general election is of utmost priority, it has consistently delayed the process.

Many observers view the planned election as a strategic move by the military to legitimize its power seizure through electoral means, aiming to produce a result that will secure the regime’s continuation. Critics argue that elections orchestrated by the military will lack fairness and transparency due to a suppressed media environment and the arrest of key figures from Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party, which is currently under duress. Notably, Suu Kyi, who is 79 years old, is serving lengthy prison sentences after being convicted in cases perceived as politically motivated.

The prevailing security landscape poses substantial obstacles to organizing elections, with the military reportedly controlling less than half of the nation. The military government has stated that elections will be prioritized in areas under its jurisdiction. Recently, it attempted to conduct a census aimed at compiling voter lists, but it only managed to gather data from 145 of 330 townships. This shortfall included regions inhabited by ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy guerrillas.

The National Unity Government (NUG), which represents Myanmar’s principal opposition, has expressed its commitment to obstructing the military-sponsored election through nonviolent measures. This ongoing opposition adds another layer of complexity to the already fraught political situation in the country.

In summary, Myanmar’s military government plans to hold a general election by early 2026, although challenges abound due to ongoing civil conflict and critiques of the election’s legitimacy. Observers anticipate that the military’s control over the process will perpetuate its power, especially given the absence of a free media and the arrest of opposition leaders. With the opposition vowing to disrupt these elections nonviolently, the country’s fragile political situation remains precarious.

Original Source: apnews.com