General Min Aung Hlaing has announced that Myanmar will hold national elections in late 2025 or early 2026, despite widespread criticism regarding the current political climate, arrests of dissidents, and a violent crackdown on dissent. Human Rights Watch and other organizations argue that true democracy cannot be achieved under the present conditions.
Myanmar's Military Government Announces Election Plans Amidst Ongoing Turmoil
Myanmar's Military Government Announces Election Plans Amidst Ongoing Turmoil
The military junta in Myanmar plans to hold its first election since the 2021 coup, but critics question the legitimacy and feasibility amidst ongoing violence and repression.
Myanmar's military government has revealed intentions to conduct national elections in December 2025 or January 2026, according to statements from General Min Aung Hlaing, the leader of the junta that took control in a coup in 2021. Hlaing insisted these elections would be "free and fair", with 53 political parties already putting forward their participation lists. This election will mark the first official vote since the military ousted democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, amid allegations of electoral fraud in earlier elections.
The political landscape in Myanmar has become increasingly volatile since the coup, exacerbated by a growing protest movement that has morphed into an armed resistance against the junta's rule. Critics have labeled the upcoming elections a facade aimed at prolonging military dominance, as they argue that the current situation renders any such electoral process illegitimate. Human Rights Watch expressed skepticism, stating that for the elections to gain any credibility, the junta must halt violence, release political prisoners, and permit participation from all political parties.
The military's crackdown on dissent has been severe, with numerous activists executed and journalists imprisoned. Despite attempts to suppress opposition, the junta has struggled against a robust insurgency fueled by pro-democracy and ethnic rebel groups, losing effective control outside of major urban centers. The United Nations reported through the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) that over 6,231 civilians have lost their lives due to military actions since the coup, warning in September that the country is spiraling into a deep humanitarian crisis.
