The military junta’s Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced plans to hold elections in 267 out of Myanmar’s 330 townships, despite ongoing conflict and security concerns across much of the country.
In response to questions from domestic media, the UEC said it would also officially designate townships where elections cannot be held due to insecurity.
U Naing Thann Shwe, spokesperson for the Mon Unity Party (MUP), noted that while it may be impossible to hold elections in many rural areas, polling could still take place in urban centers.
“Frankly, we can’t predict the full security situation, but some townships have been completely lost, even their urban areas. Based on what we see, we believe the UEC plans to conduct elections in about 267 townships, mostly in urban zones. Villages may be excluded due to the instability,” he said.
The junta has announced that elections will be conducted using a combination of the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR) systems.
However, revolutionary forces have taken control of numerous towns, key military bases, and strategic high grounds, including two regional military command centers. As of now, they claim control over 97 towns nationwide.
U Myo Kyaw, spokesperson for the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD), criticized the junta’s plan, stating that the regime does not have actual control over the 267 townships it claims.
“Do they really govern 267 townships? In reality, they don’t. And if they don’t have control, then it’s not possible to hold a legitimate election in any normal sense, They’ve changed the election system repeatedly, and are now even suggesting online voting. There’s no way this can be considered a free and fair election.” he said.
He also warned that internally displaced persons (IDPs) will be expected to cast ballots remotely. The UEC, now entirely under junta control, has changed both election rules and party eligibility in ways that lack legal or democratic legitimacy.
The military junta plans to hold elections in phases, with voting dates to be announced in separate stages.
Democratic forces, resistance groups, and the National Unity Government (NUG) have all firmly opposed the junta’s planned elections, with the NUG pledging to disrupt them by all means necessary.
