Myanmar to hold first election under military rule since 2021 coup

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Myanmar’s General Election Underway Despite Criticism

Polls have opened in about a third of Myanmar’s townships, marking the country’s first general election since the 2021 coup that ousted Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government. The heavily restricted election is taking place in an environment of violence and repression, with a civil war raging between the military and opposition forces.

According to reports, polling stations opened at 6am on Sunday, and voters began arriving shortly after. However, critics have noted that the turnout appears to be low, with middle-aged individuals dominating the voter base. The ballot options are limited, with the vast majority of choices belonging to military parties.

The election has been criticized by various groups, including the United Nations, Western countries, and human rights organizations, who argue that it is not free, fair, or credible due to the exclusion of anti-military political parties. Aung San Suu Kyi remains in detention, and her party has been dissolved.

The military, which has governed Myanmar since 2021, claims that the vote marks a new start for the nation, with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing casting his ballot shortly after polling stations opened. The polls are scheduled to take place in two rounds on January 11 and January 25, although voting has been cancelled in 65 townships altogether.

According to estimates, at least 20 percent of the country is disenfranchised due to the restricted election process. Human rights officials have expressed concerns about the lack of conditions for freedom of expression, association, or peaceful assembly, which they say hinder the free and meaningful participation of the people.

The civil war, triggered by the 2021 coup, has resulted in an estimated 90,000 deaths, 3.5 million displaced persons, and 22 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reports that over 22,000 people are currently detained for political offenses.

Source: Al Jazeera