Myanmar election to begin Dec 28, says junta

Myanmar election to begin Dec 28, says junta

Swathes of the country are beyond military control and are administered by numerous pro-democracy guerrillas and powerful ethnic armed organisations.

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing earlier pledged that the election would be held in December this year. (EPA Images pic)
YANGON:
Myanmar’s ruling military junta said today that the country’s election will start on Dec 28, beginning a phased poll being boycotted by opposition groups and criticised by international monitors.

“The first phase of the multi-party democratic general election for each parliament will begin on Sunday, Dec 28, 2025,” the Union Election Commission said in a statement.

“Dates for the subsequent phases will be announced later,” it said.

Myanmar has been consumed by a civil war since the military deposed the government of democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, making unsubstantiated allegations of electoral fraud.

Swathes of the country are beyond the control of the military – administered by a myriad of pro-democracy guerrillas and powerful ethnic armed organisations which have pledged to block polls in their enclaves.

The junta has touted elections as a way to end the conflict, however Suu Kyi remains jailed and a UN expert branded the vote a “fraud” designed to rebrand continuing military rule.

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