Nearly five years after the 2021 coup, Myanmar’s military regime is in full swing with preparations for general elections, scheduled to be held in three phases from December 28. While the regime presents these elections as a pathway to national stability, they are being opposed and boycotted by multiple parties, including the National Unity Government. Rather than stabilising the country, the election is likely to exacerbate the volatile political situation.

While Senior General Min Aung Hlaing officially calls for “inclusive, free and fair” elections, the regime’s actions contradict these statements. The elections will be held under the 2008 constitution, a framework widely considered undemocratic and designed to entrench military power within the political system. Further, the core principle of democratic elections is the inclusion of political parties that are willing to contest........

© Indian Express