Myanmar’s Military Junta Charges Hundreds with Election Law Violations as Vote Nears

As Myanmar approaches its general election later this month, the military junta has charged over 200 individuals with violating the nation's election laws, escalating pressure on those who oppose the upcoming vote. The election is scheduled to begin on December 28 and will occur in three phases, with subsequent voting days on January 11 and January 25.

Critics argue the election lacks fairness and legitimacy, serving primarily to legitimize the military rule established after the February 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government. This takeover triggered widespread resistance, evolving into a civil war that complicates holding elections, particularly in contested regions.

The election law, enacted under military rule, imposes severe penalties, including the death penalty, for those who oppose or disrupt the electoral process.

**Widespread Arrests and Charges**

According to the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper, Home Affairs Minister Lt.-Gen. Tun Tun Naung stated on Tuesday that authorities have identified and acted against 229 individuals—201 men and 28 women—in connection with 140 cases of alleged attempts to sabotage the election. The report did not specify the number of arrests made or provide details about those charged.

The new law, implemented in July, stipulates imprisonment of three to ten years, along with a fine, for anyone who speaks out, organizes, incites, protests, or distributes materials with the intent to disrupt any part of the electoral process. Other offenses can result in sentences up to the death penalty.

State media has recently identified some of those charged, including activists Tayzar San, Nan Lin, and Htet Myat Aung. These activists led a protest on December 3 in Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, urging the public to reject the elections, abolish military conscription, and release political prisoners.

The General Strike Coordination Body, a leading organization opposing military rule through non-violent means, released a statement on Wednesday, reporting that Htet Myat Aung, one of its members, was arrested by security forces in Mandalay and allegedly abused during the arrest. The organization stated that the 24-year-old's life is in imminent danger. The Associated Press has not been able to independently verify his condition.

State media reports indicate that those charged include filmmakers, an actor and comedian, children, members of People’s Defense Forces (pro-democracy militias formed after the army takeover), and members of ethnic armed groups fighting the army. The accusations against them reportedly include destroying campaign posters, threatening or arresting election workers, and posting comments on social media. According to local media reports, including Myanmar Now, some have received sentences of up to 49 years in prison.

**Election for Myanmar, Not the World**

Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the military government, stated during a briefing on Sunday that the international community's satisfaction with the election is irrelevant, as it is being conducted for Myanmar's benefit. He added, "Those who want to criticize can do so. We will continue to pursue our original objective of returning to a multi-party democratic system."

A significant reason for the perception of unfairness in the election is the forced disbandment of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party in 2023, preventing it from competing. The NLD secured a landslide victory in the 2015 election, marking its first rise to power, and further increased its winning margin in the 2020 polls. In 2021, the army seized power, preventing the NLD from beginning a second term, citing irregularities that invalidated the process. Independent election observers disputed these claims, finding no significant issues.

Suu Kyi, 80, is currently serving a total of 27 years in prison after being convicted in a series of politically motivated prosecutions initiated by the military on what are widely considered to be false grounds. Recent reports have raised concerns about her health; however, the military denied these reports on Tuesday, asserting that she remains in good health.