Myanmar's military regime is under increasing pressure to conduct national elections, a move opposed by resistance forces. The 2024 census faced unprecedented violence, including attacks on enumerators and soldiers, leading to multiple casualties. Despite the regime's claims of success, experts deem the census a failure. This contentious atmosphere reflects the significance of the census in the nation's democratic evolution and the military's goal of legitimizing its rule through elections following the coup four years ago. Opposition forces argue such elections will merely serve the regime's interests, furthering division within the country.
‘What is generally a mundane administrative exercise in population counting in most parts of the world, that Myanmar’s census was met with such violent resistance speaks to its significance in the country’s democratic trajectory.’
‘The election will be a sham, it will just be for show,’ said Zaw Kyaw, a spokesperson for the presidential office at the National Unity Government.
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