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Uncertainty Shrouds Myanmar Elections

by Ingyin Naing

   A Myanmar junta spokesperson has told VOA's Burmese service that there
   is uncertainty over whether general elections will be held this year,
   due to what he calls issues regarding voter registration and opposition
   attacks surging across the country.

   When pressed on the subject, Major General Zaw Min Tun, said, "I can't
   say for sure right now. All I can only say is that we are working hard
   to hold the elections this year; however, there are various 'subversive
   activities,'" he said in a telephone interview.

   Zaw Min Tun appeared to be referring to Myanmar's parallel
   government-in-exile, known as the National Unity Government, or NUG,
   and other resistance groups that have emerged since the junta's seizure
   of power on Feb. 1, 2021. The takeover led to the ouster of the
   democratically elected government of Aun San Suu Kyi and triggered
   widespread street demonstrations.

   The junta also declared illegal an exiled parliament known as the
   Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, or CRPH, and imposed
   states of emergency lasting several months at a time.

   Zaw Min Tun added, "Groups like the NUG, its parliamentary body the
   CRPH, and some other groups in foreign countries are saying that they
   are not recognizing the elections."

   The NUG was formed by ousted Myanmar officials and some ethnic leaders
   who oppose the junta and back the armed resistance movement fighting
   it. The junta has labeled the NUG a terrorist group.

   A spokesperson for the CRPH told VOA the junta, formally known as the
   State Administrative Council, or SAC, is looking for any reason to stay
   in power.

   Si Thu Maung, the CRPH's spokesperson, said, "We can see that what they
   are attempting to demonstrate is that even though they tried to hold
   the election in accordance with the constitution due to these
   disruptions and difficulties, it will no longer be possible, and they
   will have to continue to rule under martial law."

   He added, "There have been reports from the SAC that they are
   experiencing disruptions in the collection of the population census for
   the election."

   It is not clear who the candidates will be or when the election will
   take place.

   The United States imposed sanctions against Myanmar, formerly known as
   Burma, in response to the coup.

   U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet said in an interview with
   VOA last week that there is "no chance" that the proposed elections in
   Myanmar will be free and fair.

   "You can't have a free and fair election when you're jailing every
   significant opposition when you're committing atrocities when you're
   shutting down a free press."

   Myanmar's ruling military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, announced detailed
   plans for an election during a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of
   independence from Britain on January 4.

   In his speech in the capital, Naypyitaw, Min Aung Hlaing said, "Upon
   accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair
   elections will be held in line with the 2008 constitution, and further
   work will be undertaken to hand over state duties to the winning party
   in accordance with the democratic standards."

   Si Thu Maung, however, said, "We understand that an election is
   normally announced six months in advance. If the SAC holds elections in
   August, as many have predicted, they will now have to announce at the
   end of January. And they will find some options or way to extend their
   rule in the interim before the election."