The KNU decision was announced after more than 1,500 community and religious leaders came together from across Karen State to consider the situation of the territory. It comes against the backdrop of mounting military violence in areas controlled by different ethnic nationality movements.

The National Unity Committee of Karen Ethnic Armed Groups also repeated their rejection of the 2008 Constitution. “We witnessed its destruction when the military seized power from a civilian government,” a KNU press release has said.

Attempts to gain ethnic support for their election plans has been a cornerstone of the military’s plan to build both domestic consent and international support for their plans.

Without the support of Karen religious and political leaders, this state will likely play no part in preparations for the military election, nor will polling be possible across KNU-controlled areas.

The support of ethnic organisations is an essential component in ASEAN plans for peace. The KNU decision weakens the claim that the SAC’s ambitions carry any national consent. Founded in 1947, the KNU is the country’s oldest political party still active today.

Other Ethnic Parties

It was reported by Mizzima that they had been told by Sai Kyaw Nyunt, a spokesperson of the electoral Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), that the party’s Central Executive Committee has decided not to negotiate with the junta until the end of 2022. The largest political party in Shan State, it boycotted the 2010 general election due to military harassment and restrictions on freedom of expression. For the moment, however, the majority of other nationality parties in the country have not made official announcements regarding their participation.

Implications

Whilst it remains to be seen what most ethnic parties will do, the announcement by the KNU is significant and reinforces the fact that the junta is planning a sham election which will not be supported by major ethnic groups nor the people of Myanmar. Without this support, the election deception will not be accepted as representing the will of the people and will not lead to stability within Myanmar or the region. In fact, as in the past, a sham election is likely to drive further conflict.

The only way out for the junta is to release all political prisoners and hand back power to the civilian elected government.

The claims by the puppet UEC at the junta’s press conference on 18 November that it is making preparations to organize a free and fair general election are dangerous propaganda and must be rejected by the people, ASEAN and the international community.