The issue of rejecting Myanmar’s military junta-led elections was raised in a recent meeting with ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), according to Tun Myint, a secretary member of the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), in an interview with Mizzima.
Link to the Original News Report HERE.
Tun Myint stated that after the 2021 coup, an agreement was reached – namely the 5-Point Consensus, which Malaysia, during its ASEAN presidency, expected the junta to implement.
However, he emphasized that this agreement did not include any provisions for elections, nor does the United Nations Security Council resolution mention elections.
On 26 February, a CRPH delegation led by Tun Myint met with Mercy Chriesty Barends, Chair of APHR, along with co-chair Charles Santiago and his team in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to discuss these concerns.
The talks also focused on the immediate release of all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and the need to establish an inclusive political environment.
Revolutionary forces widely view the military regime’s planned election as a strategy to extend military rule rather than a genuine effort to restore democracy. On 24 December, 2024, the National Unity Government (NUG) and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) jointly declared that the junta, having seized power illegally, has no right to conduct elections.
While the Military Council has announced plans to hold elections in 2025, it has acknowledged that voting will only take place in certain regions due to ongoing instability.
According to Ko Ko, Chairman of the junta’s National Election Commission, elections are expected to be held in just 161 of the country’s 330 townships.
Despite this, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing stated in his message for the 77th Chin National Day on 20 February that fair elections can only be held once national stability is achieved.