Myanmar Holds Elections Under Military Rule, Drawing International Condemnation
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General elections are being held in Myanmar on December 28, the first since the military coup d’état of February 1, 2021. Though, organizations defending democracy and UN experts are urging the international community not to recognize the results, deeming the process a “fraudulent” maneuver to legitimize the power of the coup plotters. The military has effectively guaranteed its victory by preventing the main opposition parties from participating.
Myanmar has been embroiled in a civil war for nearly five years. While the 2008 Constitution allocated 25% of parliamentary seats to the army, this wasn’t enough to secure a government majority in the 2015 and 2020 elections, leading to the 2021 coup. “Frustration led to the military coup of 2021,” explains Harn Yawnghwe, executive director of the Euro-Burma Office, an organization working to promote democracy in myanmar from exile.
Yawnghwe recently emphasized, following meetings with representatives of various parties and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid, that Western countries largely did not recognize the government following the coup and should not recognize the outcome of these elections, which are widely anticipated to be won by the military.
As the election date approaches, the military junta has escalated violent attacks in areas under its control, which currently encompass around 50% of the country. On December 11th, an airstrike in Rakhine State destroyed the Mrauk-U general hospital, killing at least 31 people. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that this brings the total number of attacks on the country’s healthcare system to 67 in 2025. “No place and no person is safe from the violence of Myanmar’s armed forces,which are extending repression ahead o
Myanmar’s disputed Elections and Calls for International Non-Recognition
Recent elections in Myanmar,held under the rule of the military junta led by Min Aung Hlaing,have been widely condemned as illegitimate and are failing to quell ongoing resistance from the country’s citizens. Despite the junta declaring a victory and establishing a new government, widespread opposition persists, and international figures are urging global leaders not to recognize the results, fearing it will further destabilize the nation and undermine the pro-democracy movement.
the Context: A Coup and Continued Conflict
The elections are a direct result of the February 2021 military coup that ousted the democratically elected government led by aung San Suu kyi’s National league for Democracy (NLD).https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/myanmar-coup The coup triggered widespread protests and a civil war, with various ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and newly formed People’s Defense forces (PDFs) fighting against the junta. The military has responded with brutal repression, resulting in thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of displaced people. https://www.un.org/myanmar/rights
Why the Elections are Considered Illegitimate
Critics argue the elections, held on November 2, 2023, were designed to legitimize the military regime and consolidate its power, rather than represent a genuine expression of the people’s will. Key concerns include:
* Suppression of Opposition: Aung San Suu Kyi and many other political leaders remain detained, preventing them from participating in the electoral process. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmars-suu-kyi-transferred-house-arrest-sources-2023-11-21/
* Restrictions on Freedoms: Fundamental freedoms of speech, assembly, and the press have been severely curtailed, making a fair campaign impractical.
* Widespread Violence and Intimidation: The ongoing conflict and military violence created an environment of fear and coercion, influencing voter turnout and the integrity of the process.
* Disqualification of Parties: The Union Election Commission, controlled by the junta, dissolved several opposition parties, including the NLD, before the elections.https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/03/29/myanmar-junta-disbands-opposition-parties
International Response and Calls for Non-Recognition
Numerous international actors have voiced concerns about the elections and are urging countries not to recognize the results.
* Yawnghwe, a prominent advocate for Myanmar democracy, has pleaded with European leaders to maintain their non-recognition stance, arguing that recognizing the elections would be a “mistake” and would lead to a loss of faith in the democratic process.
* Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Myanmar, has strongly condemned the elections as a “farce” and called on ASEAN leaders to “firmly reject” them.He emphasized that elections held amidst military violence and repression cannot be free or credible. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/11/myanmar-un-expert-urges-asean-reject-sham-elections
* ASEAN, while attempting to mediate the crisis, has faced criticism for its perceived lack of strong action against the junta. The call for ASEAN to reject the elections highlights the growing pressure for a more assertive stance.
* Western nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and members of the European Union, have largely refrained from recognizing the elections, maintaining sanctions and diplomatic pressure on the junta. https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-on-myanmars-sham-elections/
Key Takeaways
* Myanmar’s November 2023 elections were held under military rule following
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