Myanmar will conduct its nationwide elections on Sunday, almost five years since the country’s military regime took over the government from Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD).
The Tatmadaw junta is pushing through with its plans for a nationwide election this weekend despite growing criticisms from many countries and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Many parties, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have already turned down the military’s invitation to observe the first stage of the elections this weekend.
The majority of countries that have declined the Tatmadaw’s invitation said that the elections “will not be credible” due to the absence of many political parties, including Suu Kyi’s own NLD party.
Some groups also pointed out that the ongoing political crisis in Myanmar will only affect the transparency of said elections.
Voting phase
Myanmar’s elections will be conducted in three stages, with the first round being held on Sunday, followed by the second round on January 11.
The military-led Union Election Commission also announced on Thursday that the final stage of the elections will be held on January 25 before the results are announced.
However, it is already expected that the military’s Union Solidarity and Development Party will win many seats since only six political parties have been allowed to join the polls.
Military chief Sen Gen Min Aung Hlaing argued that the upcoming election is meant to restore democracy in Myanmar and secure peace between rebels groups and the junta forces.
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Unrest continues
Aside from having limited choices, the international community is also questioning the credibility of the elections since only 265 townships are allowed to participate in the polls.
The Tatmadaw junta said in a previous statement that elections will be skipped in many areas due to the ongoing clashes between its forces and rebel groups.
The Chinland Defence Force–Hakha (CDF–Hakha) Central Council confirmed recently that it has confiscated important materials as a protest to the military’s “sham elections”.
CDF–Hakha’s council is currently appealing to residents in Hakha to join the silent strike scheduled on Sunday, according to Mizzima News.
Meanwhile, the Chin Brotherhood Alliance expressed support for the council’s plan, arguing that the proposed nationwide elections will only prolong the political crisis in Myanmar.
Myanmar’s military leaders are determined to go ahead with the first round of elections on Sunday despite being criticised by the international community.
China, Russia, and India have all expressed different types of support for the junta’s polls, but the military insisted that the election was meant for the welfare of Myanmar people, not the international community.
However, political experts have warned that the polls will only legitimise the military’s power grab in 2021 instead of restoring Myanmar’s democratic process.
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KC Maderia 
Newsjustnews writers 
John Christopher Aquino