Myanmars Civil War Enters New Phase Amid Military Election Hold

Myanmar’s Military to Hold Multi-Phase Election Amid Ongoing Conflict

Voters in parts of Myanmar are set to cast their ballots on Sunday for an election that is expected to take place in multiple phases. The election comes nearly five years after the country’s military overthrew the government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

The election process will unfold amidst a civil war, with ethnic armed groups and opposition militias fighting the military for control of territory across the country. In central Sagaing, voting is scheduled to take place in only a third of the region’s townships on Sunday, while further phases are planned for January. Voting has been cancelled altogether in 56 of Myanmar’s 330 townships.

Fighting between the warring parties has intensified in several areas, with reports of air raids and arson. The military is reportedly deploying troops and burning villages under the guise of “territorial dominance.” However, many residents have expressed little interest in participating in the election.

According to monitoring groups and the United Nations, the conflict triggered by the 2021 coup has resulted in an estimated 90,000 deaths and over 3.5 million displaced people. Nearly half of Myanmar’s population of 55 million is in need of humanitarian assistance.

The military’s efforts have been bolstered by China, which has brokered agreements with various armed groups to withdraw from certain areas. The military has also launched a conscription drive, recruiting between 70,000 to 80,000 people since February 2024. This move has reportedly been effective in expanding the military’s capabilities.

The election is expected to take place across multiple phases, with voting scheduled for Sunday, January, and potentially further dates. The outcome of the election remains uncertain, as many residents have expressed disinterest in participating.

Source: Al Jazeera