Revolutionary forces have warned that clashes between the military junta’s troops and local resistance forces are likely to intensify during the election period.
The military commission announced that the first phase of the general election will be held on December 28th, covering 102 townships. The second phase will include another 100 townships, followed by a third phase in the remaining areas.
As election and its three phases of voting approach, the military junta has intensified offensives nationwide, in an attempt to reclaim towns, villages, and communication routes currently under the control of resistance groups.
Nai Mon Sine, Chair of the Mon Federal Council’s Administration, said fighting could escalate if the military tries to conduct elections in territories fully controlled by resistance forces.
“We will fight to prevent their troops from entering. They’re trying to retake areas that are already under revolutionary control, so they’re launching large-scale offensives. This isn’t only happening in Mon areas—the same is true across other ethnic territories. That’s why we expect the fighting to intensify during the election period,” he said.
A military affairs analyst noted that for the junta—which has been accused of massacring civilians—the election is a critical tool to avoid accountability for its crimes. He warned that the junta may launch even more aggressive operations under the pretext of “clearing areas for voting.”
“The junta has carefully planned this election because it’s vital to them. After five years of military rule and countless crimes, this election is their way to erase those wrongdoings. So, they’ll use all their power to ensure people can vote—or at least make it look that way,” the analyst said.
A resistance officer from southern Myanmar said both local civilians and resistance groups will oppose any attempt to hold what they call a “sham election” in areas under revolutionary control.
“Elections are part of democracy, yes—but the one organized by the military junta is a fake, meant to deceive both the people and the international community. So, the people will express their opposition, and we, the resistance forces, will block it,” said Saw Darko, a commander of PDF’s Special Operations Strategy 33.
Resistance groups have also cautioned that while they will not target individuals or organizations merely participating in the election, they urge people not to travel with or accompany military election convoys. Those who ignore the warning, they said, will have to bear responsibility for any resulting consequences.
