On January 30th, the military junta announced amendments to certain sections of the Political Parties Registration Law.
According to their statement, some factors, including the number of party members, have been relaxed. The number of party members required for party registration has been reduced from 100,000 to 50,000, and the area where party offices must be opened has been reduced from half to one-third of all townships.
Commenting on the amendments, an election observer stated, “This change signifies the military junta’s move to increase the number of parties for the upcoming elections by reducing previously stringent rules and requirements. Consequently, the number of registered political parties may also rise.”
The military junta has relaxed the 90-day limit following the election commission’s announcement of party membership numbers and office opening requirements.
Political analyst U Than Soe Naing remarked, “the actions of the military junta will not impact the upcoming elections. There is no situation in Myanmar conducive to holding free and fair elections. Given these circumstances, they are compelled to engage in these activities merely as a political façade through the Election Commission. Therefore, I consider it futile.”
Despite the ongoing war across the country, military junta chairman Lt. Col. Min Aung Hlaing has frequently announced plans to hold elections. Also, a census will be conducted in October 2024 to ensure accurate voting lists.
Originally the Political Parties Registration Law, drafted by the military junta, stipulated that parties must gather 100,000 members within 90 days of registration. Within six months, offices must be opened in at least half of the country’s 330 townships, and the party must field election candidates in half of all constituencies in Myanmar.
The Electoral Commission, reconstituted by the military junta, dissolved 40 political parties, including the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, and registered over 60 parties.
