The United Nations, international human rights organisations and several Western governments have rejected the election, arguing that it lacks legitimacy and fails to meet basic democratic standards….reports Asian Lite News
Polling stations opened on Sunday for the final stage of Myanmar’s three-phase general election, a vote widely criticised as deeply flawed and lacking credibility, with key opposition figures jailed, the main opposition party dissolved and large parts of the country engulfed in conflict, The Guardian reported.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has defended the process as “free and fair”, portraying it as a step towards democracy and stability nearly five years after the military seized power in a coup. The 2021 takeover ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains detained, while her National League for Democracy has been banned from contesting the polls.
The United Nations, international human rights organisations and several Western governments have rejected the election, arguing that it lacks legitimacy and fails to meet basic democratic standards. Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, said the vote had been engineered by the military to secure a landslide victory for its political proxy, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).
“The junta is banking on global fatigue,” Andrews said, warning that military rule was being repackaged as civilian governance. He urged governments not to legitimise the process.
The vote has taken place amid ongoing violence. Just days before polling, at least 21 people were killed and 28 injured in a military airstrike on a village in Kachin state sheltering displaced civilians, the Associated Press reported. Voting is scheduled in the affected Bhamo area as part of the final phase.
While 57 political parties are contesting the election, only six are running nationwide. Analysts say none of the parties on the ballot represent genuine anti-military sentiment, with the USDP fielding the largest slate of candidates. Election monitoring group Anfrel noted that more than half of the parties that contested the 2020 election — despite winning a vast majority of votes and seats — no longer exist.
Malaysia has said Asean will not endorse the poll or send observers, though China, a key ally of the military, has backed the election as a path to stability. Earlier phases saw low turnout and little public campaigning, with many voters fearful of openly discussing politics. A new election law passed in July criminalises criticism of the vote, carrying penalties ranging from lengthy prison terms to the death sentence, The Guardian reported.
Meanwhile, India on Friday once again expressed support for inclusive and fair elections in Myanmar, having participation of all the stakeholders.
“On elections in Myanmar, we have said what our position is. We want that there will be inclusive and fair elections in which all stakeholders participate. We understand, as you rightly said, and we have seen reports, that two rounds of elections have been held. Further rounds will be held subsequently. We do have people who have travelled from India, but these are individuals who have gone there in their private capacity,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated while addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Friday.
The multiparty general election in Myanmar is being held in three phases.
Voting for the second phase of General Election in Myanmar concluded in 100 townships across 12 of the 14 regions and states on January 11, Xinhua News Agency reported.
The first phase of elections was held in 102 townships on December 28 and the third phase is scheduled to be held on January 25 in 63 townships. After the first phase of the polls, the Union Election Commission (UEC) announced the lists of more than 100 elected representatives to the Pyithu Hluttaw, over 30 to the Amyotha Hluttaw and more than 100 to the State and Region Hluttaws.
On January 11, Leader of the Information Team of Myanmar’s National Defence and Security Council, Zaw Min Tun, said, “We will convene the parliament in March. In April, the new government will take office. We will do it according to the same format as before.”
Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Myanmar’s State Security and Peace Commission Chairman, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in China’s Tianjin to review bilateral ties and discuss the way forward on several aspects of bilateral cooperation.
PM Modi reiterated India’s readiness to support the developmental needs of Myanmar. He noted that India attaches importance to its ties with Myanmar as part of its Neighbourhood First, Act East, and Indo-Pacific policies.
“PM Narendra Modi met with Senior General Mr. Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission of Myanmar, on the sidelines of the SCO Summit in Tianjin, China. The leaders reviewed India-Myanmar ties and discussed the way forward on several aspects of bilateral cooperation, including trade, development partnership, defence and security and border management. PM reiterated India’s readiness to support the developmental needs of Myanmar,” the MEA stated after the meeting.
PM Modi had expressed hope that the forthcoming elections in Myanmar will be held in a fair and inclusive manner involving all stakeholders. He underlined that India supports a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned peace process, for which peaceful dialogue and consultation are the only way forward.
