Myanmar Junta Announces Elections Amidst Continued Civil Unrest and Skepticism

Myanmar’s junta chief, General Min Aung Hlaing, announced plans to hold elections in December 2025 or January 2026, marking the first since the 2021 coup. The elections have been met with skepticism regarding their fairness. Increased violence and humanitarian needs continue to escalate in the region as the junta faces significant opposition.

The leader of Myanmar’s military junta, General Min Aung Hlaing, announced plans to conduct an election in December 2025 or January 2026, marking the first vote since the military coup in 2021. This was reported in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar. During a visit to Belarus, General Hlaing assured that the elections would be “free and fair” and noted that 53 political parties had submitted their participation lists.

In a meeting with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko, General Hlaing encouraged observation teams from Belarus to oversee the election process. Following the coup, which was justified by unproven claims of electoral fraud in the 2020 elections won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), the military has experienced persistent resistance from ethnic rebel groups and pro-democracy forces.

The military junta has faced criticism regarding the legitimacy of these elections, which many predict will not be free or fair, especially given the ongoing civil unrest. The junta extended a state of emergency in January, hindering election timelines, while Southeast Asian foreign ministers urged a ceasefire over electoral processes. The U.S. denounced any elections conducted by the junta as a “sham,” emphasizing concerns over escalating violence.

A February statement from election experts condemned the junta’s plans for elections, stating they “unequivocally reject” the legitimacy of such events. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) reports that over 6,300 civilians have been killed and more than 28,000 arrested since the coup, with more than 3.5 million displaced and substantial humanitarian needs expected among nearly 20 million people in 2025 from the UN studies.

In conclusion, Myanmar’s military junta has announced an election timeframe of December 2025 or January 2026, amidst ongoing civil unrest since the 2021 coup. Despite claims of a free and fair process, significant skepticism regarding the legitimacy of these elections persists among international observers and opposition groups. The implications of this decision raise concerns of further violence and humanitarian crises in the region.

Original Source: www.guampdn.com