Civil activists have condemned the upcoming election organized by the junta as not only a sham and an injustice but also a deliberate ruse designed to keep the people of Myanmar oppressed for years.
The junta has announced that the election it will oversee will take place in phases: Phase 1 on December 28, Phase 2 on January 11 next year, and Phase 3 two weeks later, on January 25.
Daw Mu Se, director of the civil activist group Kyae Let Myae, strongly urged people to unconditionally oppose the election, calling it a blatant deception by the junta.
“The junta has planned this election to keep us under their control and make sure we cannot break free from their oppression. That’s exactly why they’ve passed all these laws and regulations. This is why we must stand firm and oppose it. We need to expose the truth, this election is nothing but a sham,” she said.
Nai Aue Mon, director of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HRFOM), warned that the junta’s repression is likely to intensify in the days leading up to the election.
“The junta is already using this election as an excuse to restrict people’s movement and travel in some areas, without any real reason. On top of that, arbitrary arrests, extortion, and vehicle confiscations have been getting worse. Violations of our economic, social, and cultural rights are also on the rise,” he told NMG.
Duwa Lashi La, acting president of the resistance-run National Unity Government (NUG), said on December 10, during the 77th anniversary of International Human Rights Day, that only the complete collapse of the military dictatorship can end the injustices suffered by the people.
“Building a federal democratic system is all about ending the military dictatorship. As long as it stays in power, the people will keep suffering and losing their rights. That’s why I strongly urge all of you to do everything you can to uproot the military dictatorship and put an end to the injustices people are facing,” the president said.
Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union (EU) have jointly issued a statement criticizing the junta’s election as a potential escalation of tensions and violence, warning that it would further distance the Myanmar crisis from genuine solutions.
