The Central Committee of the Karen National Union (KNU) has rejected the military junta’s planned general election, calling it a sham designed to handpick candidates and parties aligned with military interests.

In a statement released on 26 August, the KNU said the attempt to hold elections disregards ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus and serves only to install groups favourable to the junta.

It warned that participation by political parties would undermine efforts to establish a genuine democratic system.

“The attempt to hold this election ignores ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus and serves as a sham process to install parties and individuals favourable to the military,” the statement said.

The KNU cautioned that the election would not resolve Myanmar’s political crisis but instead deepen the conflict and fuel instability both within the country and across the region.

It also declared the military-led election illegal, citing its arbitrary and exclusionary nature, and affirmed that it would not recognize the results under any circumstances.

The group stressed that only elections conducted under a new constitution—drafted and ratified through inclusive political dialogue—could pave the way for a lasting political solution and a genuine federal democratic union.

The Union Election Commission under the junta announced on 18 August that the first phase of the election is scheduled for 28 December.