Some political parties have warned that parties competing in the junta-led election at the end of the year could face campaigning and security challenges.
Anti-coup resistance forces have already threatened to strongly oppose the election and fight by all means, calling it a sham aimed at legitimizing the junta.
Coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing assured on August 12 that security measures will be implemented for political parties and candidates from the campaign period through the voting period.
Parties contesting the election have said the junta must ensure security and facilitate campaigning activities.
A leader of the Mon Development Party (MDP) noted the need to seriously consider how strong the junta’s security measures will be.
“How much can the junta really guarantee political parties? It’s impossible to guarantee 100%. Will the junta only provide security for a few days during the election? What’s the long-term plan? There’s a lot to think about,” he said.
On July 29, the junta promulgated the ‘Law on the Protection of Multiparty Democratic Elections from Obstruction, Disruption and Destruction,’ comprising 8 chapters and 32 sections.
The junta claimed it has set up regional, district, and township-level committees to oversee security ahead of the election and is working with partner organizations to implement it.
Karen National Democratic Party (KNDP) chairman Mahn Aung Pyi Soe said his party is officially registered and therefore must contest the election, but he believes it will have to arrange its own security.
“If officially registered political parties don’t contest the election, they’ll be dissolved. So, we have to take part in the election, and we’ll have to make the best security arrangements we can, he said.
The new law enacted by the junta is designed to protect electoral activities, including campaigning, polling stations, and election personnel.
The junta claimed the law will ensure the security of parties contesting the election and everyone involved to facilitate voting, but political parties remain hesitant to fully trust it.
Some parties said they are facing headaches over security challenges during the campaign period ahead, with party funding emerging as another significant concern.
The election law includes different restrictions and provisions depending on whether a party’s targeted constituency is nationwide or limited to a specific region.
Mon Unity Party (MUP) spokesperson Nai Than Shew said the practical impact of these restrictions will only become clear when the campaign period begins.
“There are a lot of rules and restrictions in place, but we can’t say yet what the practical impact will be. Once the campaign period starts, we’ll know what kind of experience we’ll have,” he told Than Lwin Times.
Candidates running for the parliament are prohibited from breaking the election law, making speeches that threaten national or ethnic unity, or saying anything that harms or discredits the Tatmadaw (Myanmar military).
Mahn Aung Pyi Soe said he hopes political parties can avoid any problems if they strictly adhere to the law.
Candidates who wish to campaign or give speeches through private media must strictly follow the instructions of the Ministry of Information.
The junta-controlled Union Election Commission has said it plans to hold votes in 267 of Myanmar's 330 townships but has not yet announced the election date.
