The military council is carrying out clearance operations aimed at reclaiming 63 townships under martial law within 90 days, as part of its strategy to hold the upcoming general election. The council is also seeking to fully control all 102 townships where elections have been announced, according to local reports.
The Union Election Commission (UEC) has already released the schedule and township list for Phase 1 of the election, and further phases will be announced in the coming weeks. In Mon State, Phase 1 will include Thaton, Kyaikto, Kyaikmayaw, Mawlamyine, and Chaungzon townships. Additional areas will be added depending on whether the military can secure them.
“We are seeing intensified military patrols along villages near the Yangon–Mawlamyine highway under the pretext of election security,” said Aye Min Tun, a spokesperson for the People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Thaton District. “They’ve also set up checkpoints along major roads. That’s their job, but we will resist as much as we can.”
Similarly, in Tanintharyi Region, Kawthoung, Dawei, Myeik, and Bokpyin townships are included in Phase 1. “Political parties haven’t been able to campaign here yet. Instead, the military has been sending troops into villages under so-called clearance operations. We’re countering these offensives,” said Kyarr Gyi, a PDF spokesperson in Kawthoung District.
In Karen State, the military is sending more troops and heavy weapons to Kawkareik and Kyainseikgyi townships to prepare for the election. Hpa-An, Myawaddy, and Hlaingbwe townships are already scheduled for voting in Phase 1.
According to a PDF officer in Karen State, “The military and splinter DKBA forces are tightening security routes around Hpa-An. They’ve been pushing offensives into areas we control. In Myawaddy and Hlaingbwe, whether voting happens depends on Major General Saw Chit Thu. If the SAC (State Administration Council) insists on holding elections there, clashes between KNU and Saw Chit Thu are likely.”
Resistance groups have warned that they will disrupt what they call a sham election by targeting polling sites and individuals involved in the process.
Analysts argue that the military’s planned election will not resolve Myanmar’s ongoing armed and political conflicts. Instead, they warn it could escalate violence and lead to further bloodshed.
