Political parties planning to contest in the upcoming election organized by the military junta say they are growing increasingly concerned for their safety, following a series of warnings from resistance groups.
Ethnic armed organizations and revolutionary forces actively fighting the junta have issued multiple statements in recent days, denouncing the election as a sham aimed at legitimizing military rule and misleading the international community. They have warned against participating in any election-related activities and threatened military action against those involved.
“All parties are worried following these warnings from anti-election groups. We’re concerned too. A peaceful environment is crucial to holding a successful election. We raised these concerns during the Peace Forum, asking for safety guarantees for voters and candidates alike. Ultimately, it’s up to the Union Election Commission and the current government to ensure the elections can be held safely and smoothly,” said U Sai Tun Lin, spokesperson for the White Tiger Party.
Despite the security concerns, political parties, including the White Tiger Party, are continuing to open offices across the country, including in Mon State. However, they admit that due to the unstable situation, large-scale public outreach and recruitment efforts remain limited.
In Karen State, the Karen National Democratic Party (KNDP) is also planning to contest in at least two townships. But the party’s chairperson, Mann Aung Pyi Soe, said that intense fighting and poor security conditions make it difficult to campaign or hold rallies.
“The political climate in Mon State may be a bit more favorable than in our region. Even in just two townships, we can’t operate freely in many areas. We might manage small activities in urban areas like Hlaingbwe and Hpa-An, but areas west of Hpa-An are still too unstable to guarantee safe campaigning.” He said.
Despite these challenges, the junta claims it is pressing ahead with preparations to hold elections in all states and regions, except in conflict-affected areas with security restrictions. The regime has begun producing and transporting electronic voting machines to various regions, with plans for storage and deployment already underway.
According to a June 7 announcement by the Union Election Commission, the 2025 election is scheduled to take place in 267 townships nationwide. Nine parties are expected to compete at the national level, and over 50 others will contest at the state and regional levels.
