"Myanmar's ruling junta is pressing ahead with plans for elections, which they hope will ensure global legitimacy. The first of several stages of voting is set to start on December 28, despite the junta still not having control of the entire country. Myanmar has plunged into civil war since the military known as Tatmadaw snatched power in a 2021 coup. The junta has since lost swathes of the Southeast Asian nation to pro-democracy guerrillas and powerful ethnic-minority armed groups."
""The election was most likely intended to extend the military junta's rule by using the military-backed USDP [Union Solidarity and Development Party] as a political stand-in," the diplomat said. "Furthermore, achieving political stability in Myanmar will be difficult because major opposition groups are either excluded from the general elections or have chosen not to participate due to repression or security concerns.""
The junta is proceeding with staged elections starting December 28 despite lacking control of the entire country. Civil war has continued since the 2021 coup, with the military losing territory to pro-democracy guerrillas and ethnic-minority armed groups. Generals promote elections as a route to reconciliation, while rebels in many areas pledge to boycott ballots. Human rights groups call the vote a smokescreen to preserve military power. ASEAN is taking a cautious 'wait and see' stance, while China, India, Russia and Belarus have voiced support. Diplomats say the vote is unlikely to resolve core political or security problems.
Read at www.dw.com
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