The Ramanya Mon Army (RMA) has declared it will oppose the junta’s sham election by all means and is determined to block voting in areas under its control.

The RMA’s Political and Military Steering Committee issued its stance on the upcoming junta-controlled elections on September 5. The RMA was formed on May 24 as a resistance coalition between the Mon National Liberation Army – Anti-Dictatorship (MNLA-AD), the armed wing of the New Mon State Party – Anti-Dictatorship (NMSP-AD), and the Mon Liberation Army (MLA).

The junta, which seized power in the February 1, 2021 coup, announced on July 31 that it plans to hold an election on December 28.

Nai Kaung Sakar, spokesperson for RMA member NMSP-AD, said that the RMA would oppose the junta’s upcoming election both politically and militarily, warning that any political parties participating would be seen as supporting the prolongation of military dictatorship.

“We will oppose the election both politically and militarily. We will do everything we can to ensure that voting does not take place in areas under our control in Mon State. Any parties that participate in the election will be seen as helping to perpetuate the military dictatorship,” he told Than Lwin Times.

The RMA also pointed out that the election would serve to reinstate the 2008 constitution, drafted under the previous military government, thereby prolonging military rule and exacerbating political conflicts.

Nai Kaung Sakar commented that while the RMA views those who participate in or help organize the election as supporting the perpetuation of the military dictatorship, it has not yet disclosed what actions will be taken against them.

The RMA further urged the Mon community to reject the junta’s sham election, aimed at extending military rule, in every possible way. It also called on Mon political parties to join the people of Mon State in opposing the sham election, rather than placing their hopes in it.

The RMA has expanded its military activities across Mon State’s Kyaikmaraw, Mudon, Thanbyuzayat, and Ye townships; Tanintharyi Region’s Yebyu Township; and Karen State’s Kyainseikgyi and Kawkareik townships.