On a recent visit to Belarus, Myanmar’s junta leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, proclaimed plans for national elections by January 2026. However, these elections would be held under a regime that has committed significant atrocities since the February 2021 coup, including widespread repression and the detainment of opposition figures. The environment of fear created by the junta makes the possibility of free and fair elections utterly unfeasible.
The military lacks the territorial control necessary to conduct credible elections. Their previous effort to conduct a nationwide census, which they claimed was for creating voter lists, seemed instead a tool for counterinsurgency, targeting opposition activists. This effort reportedly only succeeded in 145 out of 330 townships, highlighting the junta’s limitations across Myanmar.
Despite the evident challenges, some governments may still support these elections. Reports from junta-controlled media indicate that Min Aung Hlaing has sought backing from China, discussing plans with high-ranking Chinese officials. He has even invited election observers from Belarus, a country notorious for its recent fraudulent elections under President Aliaksandr Lukashenka.
Opinions within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are mixed. Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen has shown willingness to assist in election preparations despite his own country having a troubled electoral history marked by irregularities and violence against opposition. In stark contrast, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister declared that elections are not currently a priority for Myanmar.
United Nations human rights experts are unequivocal, calling the impending elections a farce. They advocate that member states should reject this charade outright. It is essential for concerned governments across Asia, including members of ASEAN, Japan, South Korea, and India, to stand united against these sham elections that merely aim to legitimise military dominance.
Myanmar’s junta leader announced plans for elections by January 2026, but atrocities since the 2021 coup have created a climate of fear that obstructs free and fair voting. The military lacks control to hold credible elections, with past efforts demonstrating their inability to engage with the populace. While some nations may support this initiative, UN experts have categorically rejected it, branding it a fraud that should not legitimise military rule.
In essence, Myanmar’s planned elections serve more as a facade for the military junta rather than a genuine democratic exercise. The grip of fear and oppression renders true electoral integrity impossible, while international reactions are starkly divided. To uphold human rights and genuine democracy, it is imperative that regional and global powers unite in denouncing these elections as fraudulent and illegitimate.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
