Myanmar elections: Militarized vote or return to democracy?

Myanmar elections: Militarized vote or return to democracy?

The first round of the controversial parliamentary elections began in Myanmar on Sunday. These elections are the first to take place since the military coup in February 2021 that overthrew the democratic government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Polling stations opened at 6:00 a.m. (local time) in cities including Yangon, Mandalay and Naypyidaw, part of a three-phase electoral process that will continue in the coming weeks. The second round is scheduled for January 11th and the third on January 25th. Results are expected to be announced at the end of the month, reports vienna.at.

The military junta has described the election as a return to democracy. Critics, on the other hand, see it as a “sham election” with the sole aim of legitimizing the power of the generals. In recent years, the junta has lost control of parts of the country as Myanmar is rocked by a civil war that has left tens of thousands dead and more than 3.3 million displaced. The opposition called for a boycott of the election and many political groups refused to run under the current conditions. These elections are under the strict influence of the military government, which responded to the vote with massive security measures. Armed guards and military vehicles are present at the polls, especially in large cities like Yangon, where the security presence is particularly heavy AP News.

The political situation in Myanmar

Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's former elected leader, is unable to take part in the elections due to a controversial 27-year prison sentence. Her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), was dissolved in 2023 after refusing to register under the new military rules. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, over 22,000 people are imprisoned for political offenses, while more than 7,600 civilians have been killed by security forces since 2021. The human rights situation in Myanmar has deteriorated dramatically, forcing international organizations to take action. The UN human rights chief has highlighted increasing violence and intimidation.

International reactions to the elections are divided. While Western countries strongly criticize the elections, neighboring countries such as China, India and Thailand appear to support the military junta and may see the elections as a factor of stability. The junta hopes to gain international legitimacy through these votes, even though it is out of control of many areas and opposition groups in rebel-held areas have announced boycotts, according to reports DW.

Overall, it appears that the people of Myanmar have little interest in the elections, which are taking place against the backdrop of a protracted civil war. Anonymous diplomats point out that the elections will not solve pressing problems facing the population. Instead, many fear that the military junta could further increase its repression after the elections. While significant territorial gains have been recorded in northern Shan State, the situation remains tense and uncertain for many people in the country.