Myanmar Junta Plans Parliamentary Elections Amid Ongoing Political Crisis

Myanmar’s military junta has announced elections by January 2026, prompted by ongoing resistance against military rule. Critics, including the National Unity Government and ethnic insurgents, have deemed the elections illegitimate due to political repression and the imprisonment of popular leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi. The announcement follows Min Aung Hlaing’s discussions in Belarus and Russia, aiming to secure political credibility amid internal and international challenges.

Myanmar’s ruling military junta has announced its intention to conduct parliamentary elections by January 2026, as stated by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during a visit to Belarus. The exact date for the elections remains unspecified. This announcement follows a military coup in February 2021, which has led to significant political turmoil and ongoing resistance against military rule from pro-democracy forces and ethnic insurgents.

Critics argue that an election held under military control will lack legitimacy due to the imprisonment of key political leaders, including Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The National Unity Government, a parallel civilian entity operating in exile, has previously characterized the junta’s electoral plans as mere efforts to enhance its credibility. Moreover, ethnic minority insurgent groups have also refused to endorse elections under current military governance.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing reported that 53 political parties have submitted their intentions to participate in the elections, inviting international observers, including from Belarus. It is anticipated that initial voting will occur in fewer than half of Myanmar’s 330 townships, a stark reduction compared to the last election in 2020, where voting took place in 315 townships. The military had contested the results of the 2020 election, which saw Suu Kyi’s party win decisively, alleging electoral fraud, despite election monitors finding no evidence of significant cheating.

Following his visit to Belarus, Min Aung Hlaing met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, possibly to discuss regional security and support for Myanmar amidst ongoing international scrutiny and conflict within the country.

The Myanmar junta plans to hold parliamentary elections by January 2026, yet opposition figures and ethnic insurgents have denounced these elections as invalid given the current political repression. The international community’s response, particularly from China and neighbors in Southeast Asia, appears supportive of the junta’s electoral process. However, without major opposition figures and political parties in place, the legitimacy of the elections remains in serious doubt as political unrest continues to undermine stability in Myanmar.

Original Source: www.rfa.org