How Myanmar’s elections are shaped by conflict and control
1 month, 3 weeks ago

How Myanmar’s elections are shaped by conflict and control

Hindustan Times  

As the crisis in Myanmar enters its fifth year, it is essential to reflect on the ongoing conflict that is becoming increasingly complex. Myanmar Soon after the military takeover in 2021, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing formed the State Administrative Council and formulated a five-step roadmap, which included two provisions, one to reconstitute the Union Election Commission and second to conduct a free and fair elections. Let us look at the constitutional provisions of elections in Myanmar as well as how the military uses these provisions to ensure that it continues to rule indirectly as it did in the previous decade. Previously in the 2010 and 2015 elections, and far more widespread in 2020 elections, particularly in conflict-affected areas like Rakhine, Chin, Kayin, Kachin, and Shan states, where ethnic armed organisations-controlled territory, the UEC made decisions about partial election cancellations. And while the SAC is aiming to hold elections, possibly in 2025-26, the SAC is actively pursuing strategies to gain regional legitimacy by selectively engaging with international actors.

Elections Military Myanmar Territory Ensure Provisions Rakhine Hold Sac Uec Ethnic Parties  hold  myanmars  myanmar  provisions  ensure  elections  uec  control  military  ethnic  parties  territory  shaped  conflict

History of this topic

Myanmar’s military leader announces dates for general election
Trending News
1 week, 5 days ago

Myanmar’s military leader announces dates for general election

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Four years after seizing power from the elected administration, the head of the military government declared Myanmar will hold a general election within 10 months, state-run media reported Saturday. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said Friday the election will take place either in December or January 2026 at the latest, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar …

Myanmar junta chief says elections to be held by January 2026
Trending News
1 week, 5 days ago

Myanmar junta chief says elections to be held by January 2026

Firstpost  

Myanmar’s junta chief has announced plans to hold elections in December 2025 or January 2026, marking the first vote since the military seized power in a 2021 coup. Myanmar’s junta chief said that elections would be held in Mayanmar in December or January, the first in the war-torn nation since the military staged a coup in 2021, country’s state media …

Myanmar junta chief says general election will be held by January 2026
Trending News
1 week, 5 days ago

Myanmar junta chief says general election will be held by January 2026

New Indian Express  

BANGKOK: Myanmar's junta chief said the country would hold an election in December or January, the first in the war-torn nation since the military staged a coup in 2021. by January 2026," General Min Aung Hlaing was quoted as saying in the state-run newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar published Saturday. "We also invite observation teams from Belarus to come …

Four years after coup, Myanmar regime prepares for ‘violent, messy’ polls
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Four years after coup, Myanmar regime prepares for ‘violent, messy’ polls

Al Jazeera  

Pressure is building on Myanmar’s military regime to hold national elections that opposition forces have promised to disrupt. Publishing preliminary results in January, Myanmar’s Ministry of Immigration and Population said the census represents the military government’s “commitment to national reconciliation”. Myanmar’s military said its goal for the 2024 census was to provide an “accurate” voter list for the next election. …

Myanmar’s military government extends state of emergency by 6 months
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Myanmar’s military government extends state of emergency by 6 months

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Myanmar’s military government on Friday …

Myanmar’s military government extends its mandate to rule another 6 months
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Myanmar’s military government extends its mandate to rule another 6 months

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Myanmar’s military government on Friday announced another six-month extension of its mandate to rule in preparation for elections it has said will be held this year, as the country enters its fifth year of crisis. The military declared a state of emergency on Feb. 1, 2021, when it arrested the country’s leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and top …

Myanmar extends state of emergency for 6 more months
Top News
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Myanmar extends state of emergency for 6 more months

Hindustan Times  

Myanmar's ruling military has extended a state of emergency for another six months, state media reported on Friday, a day ahead of the four-year anniversary of a coup that plunged the country into chaos after a decade of tentative democracy. A day before the fourth anniversary of a coup that sent Myanmar into disarray following ten years of fragile democracy, …

Myanmar military extends state of emergency for another six months
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Myanmar military extends state of emergency for another six months

Al Jazeera  

The declaration is widely anticipated to be the last before the military holds long-delayed national polls this year. Myanmar’s military has extended its state of emergency for another six months as it struggles to maintain its increasingly fragile grip on power, with fighting raging on multiple fronts across the country. “All members of National Defence and Security Council including the …

Military-run Myanmar to hold a census next month to prepare for election slated for 2025
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Military-run Myanmar to hold a census next month to prepare for election slated for 2025

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Myanmar will hold a national census next month to compile voter lists for a general election and to analyze population and socioeconomic trends, the head of the military government said. A group that leads the pro-democracy struggle, the National Unity Government, expressed skepticism that the military government intends to hold an election any time soon and advised people …

Myanmar military extends state of emergency by six months
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Myanmar military extends state of emergency by six months

Al Jazeera  

Generals have pledged to hold elections in 2025 after repeated delays caused by extensions of emergency rule. Myanmar’s military regime has extended the country’s state of emergency by six months as the armed revolt against its coup deepens. Last week, all responsibilities of Myanmar’s figurehead president were handed over to Min Aung Hlaing after Myint Swe, the acting president at …

The thorny road to democracy in Myanmar
1 year, 1 month ago

The thorny road to democracy in Myanmar

Hindustan Times  

In 2010, Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, embarked on a journey towards democracy after decades of military rule. The 2021 military coup, which overturned the results of a landslide election won by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, was not an aberration. His tenure as Commander-in-Chief was nearing its end, and the coup provided a pathway for him …

Myanmar military extends emergency, postpones election
1 year, 7 months ago

Myanmar military extends emergency, postpones election

Al Jazeera  

Military delays election it promised to hold in August 2023 citing ongoing violence across the country. Myanmar’s military has officially postponed an election promised by August this year after extending a state of emergency it imposed in the aftermath of its 2021 coup. But coup leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, told the meeting that extended the state of emergency …

US 'strongly condemns' Myanmar army's decision to abolish 40 political parties
1 year, 11 months ago

US 'strongly condemns' Myanmar army's decision to abolish 40 political parties

Firstpost  

Washington: The United States has “strongly” condemned the Myanmar military’s decision to abolish 40 political parties, including the National League for Democracy, the US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Wednesday. He made the remarks in response to a question regarding the Myanmar military’s decision to dissolve political parties, including Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League …

US, UK, Japan, Australia denounce dissolution of Myanmar’s NLD
1 year, 11 months ago

US, UK, Japan, Australia denounce dissolution of Myanmar’s NLD

Al Jazeera  

Myanmar’s military rulers disbanded Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD party as part of groundwork for holding a new election and to cement their power. The statements of concern on Wednesday came a day after the Myanmar military disbanded Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy and 39 other parties over their failure to meet a deadline to register for …

Myanmar junta chief vows continued crackdown, then elections
1 year, 11 months ago

Myanmar junta chief vows continued crackdown, then elections

Firstpost  

Naypyidaw, Myanmar: Flanked by tanks and missile launchers, Myanmar’s junta chief Monday vowed no let up in a crackdown on opponents and insisted the military would hold elections – weeks after admitting it did not control enough territory to allow a vote. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military deposed Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government over two years …

The battle for democracy in Myanmar | In Focus podcast
2 years, 1 month ago

The battle for democracy in Myanmar | In Focus podcast

The Hindu  

It’s been a little more than two years since Myanmar’s generals staged a coup and ousted Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy from power. A bloody civil war is raging in the country, with independent estimates suggesting that the military junta had killed nearly 3,000 civilians and jailed another 18,000 since the 1st of February 2021. …

Myanmar extends state of emergency, delaying expected polls
2 years, 1 month ago

Myanmar extends state of emergency, delaying expected polls

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Myanmar’s military government announced Wednesday that is extending a state of emergency it imposed when it seized power two years ago, a move that appears to set back its plans for an election that had been expected in August. The announcement, on the anniversary of the army’s seizure of power in 2021 from the elected government of Aung …

Myanmar resistance steadfast against army rule 2 years later
2 years, 1 month ago

Myanmar resistance steadfast against army rule 2 years later

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — The prospects for peace in Myanmar, much less a return to democracy, seem dimmer than ever two years after the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, experts say. The military, after closed trials, have also executed activists accused of “terrorism.” According to the independent Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a watchdog group …

Two years after coup, both the military and the resistance remain steadfast in Myanmar
2 years, 1 month ago

Two years after coup, both the military and the resistance remain steadfast in Myanmar

LA Times  

The prospects for peace in Myanmar, much less a return to democracy, seem dimmer than ever two years after the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, experts say. “The level of violence involving both armed combatants and civilians is alarming and unexpected,” said Min Zaw Oo, a veteran political activist in exile who founded …

Myanmar preps for elections 2 years after military coup amid fears of violence
2 years, 1 month ago

Myanmar preps for elections 2 years after military coup amid fears of violence

Firstpost  

Bangkok : Two years after a coup snuffed out Myanmar’s short-lived democratic experiment, the country’s military is planning elections that analysts warn could spark further bloodshed as opposition to junta rule rages on. In the jungle near the border with Thailand, Lin Lin, a member of one of the dozens of “People’s Defence Force” groups battling the junta, vowed elections …

UN says Myanmar junta elections will fuel violence
2 years, 1 month ago

UN says Myanmar junta elections will fuel violence

Firstpost  

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military toppled democracy figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government almost two years ago, alleging massive fraud during elections her party won in 2020. Bangkok: Junta plans for elections in coup-hit Myanmar this year will “fuel greater violence”, a United Nations special envoy said on Tuesday, calling for the international community to unite …

Myanmar opposition attacks military’s population survey
2 years, 1 month ago

Myanmar opposition attacks military’s population survey

Associated Press  

BANGKOK — Myanmar’s pro-democracy resistance forces have attacked military government personnel conducting a population survey, in an attempt to disrupt preparations for an election later this year that they consider illegitimate. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, the country’s military ruler, said in a Jan. 4 Independence Day speech that free and fair elections will be held in line with the …

Myanmar military holds election talks with ethnic rebels
2 years, 2 months ago

Myanmar military holds election talks with ethnic rebels

The Hindu  

Myanmar's junta is holding talks with three ethnic rebel groups on staging elections in areas they control, a rebel spokesman said Friday, as the military prepares for polls the US has said will be a "sham." Some have condemned the ouster of Aung San Suu Kyi's government when the military staged a February 2021 coup, and offered shelter and weapons …

Is democracy dead in Myanmar?
3 years, 1 month ago

Is democracy dead in Myanmar?

Al Jazeera  

On Monday, January 31 at 19:30 GMT: It has been one year since the military coup in Myanmar. The army seized power, claiming fraud in a democratic election won by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party. Members of parliament, ethnic minority representatives, and civil society activists formed a National Unity Government to contest the junta. And anti-junta …

Decoding the Myanmar crisis: domestic factors or external players?
3 years, 3 months ago

Decoding the Myanmar crisis: domestic factors or external players?

Hindustan Times  

For Myanmar, which has been under authoritarian military rule for several decades, the restoration of partial democracy in 2011, in a power-sharing agreement with an elected civilian government, notwithstanding the military’s dominance, was a ray of hope. Yet, due to the defective constitution, framed by the military with the intent to preserve its control over state power, the threat of …

Myanmar is now in conflict, could be failed state: U.N. envoy
3 years, 4 months ago

Myanmar is now in conflict, could be failed state: U.N. envoy

The Hindu  

The U.N. special envoy for Myanmar has warned that February's military takeover has led to armed conflict and if power isn’t returned to the people in a democratic way the country “will go in the direction of a failed state.” Christine Schraner Burgener told a U.N. news conference on October 21 that conflict between the military, which took power on …

Myanmar army fights anti-coup militia as armed resistance grows
3 years, 10 months ago

Myanmar army fights anti-coup militia as armed resistance grows

CNN  

Myanmar’s army battled local militia fighters in the northwestern town of Mindat on Saturday, residents said, to try to quell a rebellion that has sprung up to oppose the junta which seized power in the Southeast Asian country in February. Army-controlled Myawaddy television said around 1,000 “unscrupulous people” had attacked with small arms and homemade grenades in recent days, and …

Analysis: Why is Myanmar’s military so powerful?
4 years, 1 month ago

Analysis: Why is Myanmar’s military so powerful?

Al Jazeera  

The military has been the most powerful institution in Myanmar since the country’s independence from Britain in 1948. A separate statement on the military’s Facebook page said that the Tatmadaw, as Myanmar’s military is known in Burmese, would hold “a free and fair general election” at the end of the year and that it would “perform real multi-party democracy …

Myanmar coup: Military says will hold elections as soon as possible
4 years, 1 month ago

Myanmar coup: Military says will hold elections as soon as possible

India TV News  

The Myanmar military staged a coup on Monday and seized control of the country after detaining de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other top leaders of her National League for Democracy party, following escalated tensions between the government and the army that erupted due to results of the November 2020 polls. In a new development, The Irrawaddy reported …

Official Myanmar vote count affirms Suu Kyi\'s party control
4 years, 4 months ago

Official Myanmar vote count affirms Suu Kyi\'s party control

Deccan Chronicle  

Yangon : Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won enough seats in Parliament to return to power for a second five-year term, official results released by the election commission showed on Friday. The NLD won 346 seats in the combined lower and upper houses of the legislature, far above the 322 needed to secure a majority, the Union …

Aung San Suu Kyi’s party confirmed winner in Myanmar election
4 years, 4 months ago

Aung San Suu Kyi’s party confirmed winner in Myanmar election

Al Jazeera  

The governing party of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has won enough parliamentary seats to form the next government, official results showed on Friday, in a poll disputed by the military-aligned opposition and criticised by rights groups. According to the latest batch of results from Sunday’s vote, Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy has secured the 322 …

Aung San Suu Kyi's party wins enough seats to form Myanmar's next government
4 years, 4 months ago

Aung San Suu Kyi's party wins enough seats to form Myanmar's next government

ABC  

The ruling party of Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi has won enough parliamentary seats to form the next government, according to official general election results. Key points: The NLD won by a similar margin in the last election in 2015 This ballot was seen as a referendum on Ms Suu Kyi's Government The NLD is hugely popular despite its …

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi favoured to win as election gets underway
4 years, 4 months ago

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi favoured to win as election gets underway

ABC  

Myanmar has voted in an election seen as a referendum on a fledgling democratic Government whose reputation collapsed overseas amid allegations of genocide, but which remains popular at home. Key points: More than 37 million people are registered, but COVID-19 may dampen the election turnout Leader Suu Kyi's supporters sees her as a heroine of democracy Her defenders say her …

A look at Myanmar\'s election and Suu Kyi\'s expected victory
4 years, 4 months ago

A look at Myanmar\'s election and Suu Kyi\'s expected victory

Deccan Chronicle  

Yangon: Myanmar holds national and state elections on Sunday in which Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party will be looking to hold on to power. Suu Kyi is by far the country's most popular politician, and the NLD has a strong national network, reinforced by holding the levers of state power. To a large …

Myanmar’s election in 500 words
4 years, 4 months ago

Myanmar’s election in 500 words

Al Jazeera  

More than 37 million of Myanmar’s 56 million people are eligible to vote on Sunday. Myanmar will hold national and state elections on Sunday in which Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party will be looking to hold on to power. The competitors Aung San Suu Kyi’s party has lost the cooperation of many ethnic minority …

Vote cancellations trigger outrage among Myanmar minority voters
4 years, 4 months ago

Vote cancellations trigger outrage among Myanmar minority voters

Al Jazeera  

More than 1.5 million people in Myanmar’s conflict-ridden areas have been politically disenfranchised after the country’s election commission scrapped voting in those areas in next month’s general election, deepening concerns about the credibility of the country’s first poll since Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy won a landslide victory in 2015. “The Union Election Commission’s procedures to cancel …

Myanmar must not disenfranchise minority voters
4 years, 4 months ago

Myanmar must not disenfranchise minority voters

Al Jazeera  

On November 8, Myanmar is set to hold general elections for the second time since the end of military rule in 2011. In response to the UEC’s decision, an alliance of ethnic parties – the Kachin State People’s Party, Mon Unity Party, Chin National League for Democracy, Karen National Democratic Party and Kayah State Democratic Party – issued a scathing …

Myanmar bypolls: Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy wins 7 of 13 seats
6 years, 4 months ago

Myanmar bypolls: Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy wins 7 of 13 seats

Firstpost  

Myanmar’s ruling party led by Aung San Suu Kyi won just over half the seats in by-elections to fill 13 of the 1,171 seats in national, regional and state parliaments, according to complete preliminary results. Yangon: Myanmar’s ruling party led by Aung San Suu Kyi won just over half the seats in by-elections to fill 13 of the 1,171 seats …

Magnificent election in Myanmar
9 years, 4 months ago

Magnificent election in Myanmar

The Hindu  

Bursting firecrackers over elections in a neighbouring country may sound controversial these days. Given that this was the first truly free general election in 25 years and much of the vast countryside had never voted before this, it is to the credit of the election commission as well as voter awareness groups across the country that managed to ensure heavy …

Myanmar election: Vote counting underway amid high aspirations for Aung San Suu Kyi victory
9 years, 4 months ago

Myanmar election: Vote counting underway amid high aspirations for Aung San Suu Kyi victory

ABC  

Millions of people have voted in Myanmar's landmark election, with a massive turnout that could catapult Aung San Suu Kyi's party to power and finally end decades of military control. Key points: Millions of people vote in Myanmar's historic elections Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi's party is widely anticipated to win Aspirations for change remain high, as do fears …

With excitement and hope, millions vote in Myanmar polls
9 years, 4 months ago

With excitement and hope, millions vote in Myanmar polls

India TV News  

Yangon, Myanmar: With tremendous excitement and hope, millions of citizens voted Sunday in Myanmar's historic general elections that will test whether the military's longstanding grip on power can be loosened, with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party expected to secure an easy victory. it's the first time that most people in the country will have an opportunity to vote …

Vote count under way after historic Myanmar election
9 years, 4 months ago

Vote count under way after historic Myanmar election

Al Jazeera  

First openly contested poll in 25 years held as country makes key transformation from military rule to democracy. “This election is seen as more inclusive and legitimate compared with the last election five years ago,” Al Jazeera’s Florence Looi reported from Yangon. People who didn’t bother voting in the 2010 election are turning up to cast their ballots.” Phil Robertson, …

Myanmar’s Big Moment
9 years, 4 months ago

Myanmar’s Big Moment

The Diplomat  

For a brief moment, it seemed as if Myanmar’s eagerly awaited legislative elections might yet be postponed, ostensibly because of recent flooding. The leader of the main political opposition party, Aung San Suu Kyi, seems convinced that the NLD will win the elections in a landslide and that she will lead a new government. Second, Aung San Suu Kyi knows …

Myanmar election: Aung San Suu Kyi confident of victory ahead of historic vote
9 years, 4 months ago

Myanmar election: Aung San Suu Kyi confident of victory ahead of historic vote

ABC  

The rock music belts into the humid Yangon night and there's a cheer from the party faithful, most with red stickers of the opposition flag plastered on their cheeks. The military annuls the result 2008: After a referendum, Myanmar enacts a new constitution 2010: Military-backed USDP declares victory in the first election under the new constitution amid claims of voting …

Will Myanmar’s landmark election be free and fair?
9 years, 4 months ago

Will Myanmar’s landmark election be free and fair?

Al Jazeera  

Rights groups and opposition voice concerns after disquiet over process in early overseas voting for historic poll. Myanmar’s much-anticipated election is due to take place on Sunday but problems with missing ballot papers and inaccurate voter lists are adding to long-held concerns from political opponents and advocacy groups that the poll will not be free and fair. If they didn’t …

Myanmar’s historic elections
9 years, 4 months ago

Myanmar’s historic elections

Al Jazeera  

Crucial vote to determine whether control of bicameral legislature will shift to Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition party. Millions of citizens in Myanmar are casting their votes on November 8 in a nationwide parliamentary elections described as a historic step in the country’s transition to democracy. Political observers predict the National League of Democracy, led by opposition figure Aung San …

Myanmar election: Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy expected to win historic vote
9 years, 4 months ago

Myanmar election: Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy expected to win historic vote

ABC  

Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy appears set to win a large number of seats in Myanmar's upcoming national elections. Key points: Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy expected to win historic national election in Myanmar Ms Suu Kyi remains barred from becoming president The United Nations warns of widespread intimidation and potential electoral fraud Ruling …

Myanmar elections in November will be under scanner, could signal evolution of polity
9 years, 6 months ago

Myanmar elections in November will be under scanner, could signal evolution of polity

Firstpost  

Myanmar will be under the scanner of the international community — particularly India — in around two months when it goes to the polls in November Myanmar will be under the scanner of the international community — particularly India — in around two months when it goes to the polls in November. The recent voting down of constitutional amendments in …

Suu Kyi warns of ‘poll irregularities’
12 years, 11 months ago

Suu Kyi warns of ‘poll irregularities’

Al Jazeera  

Pro-democracy icon says Myanmar’s by-elections will not be “free and fair”, but vows to contest for sake of country. Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar’s opposition leader, has said that campaign irregularities threaten the fairness of upcoming by-elections, but vowed to press forward with her bid for a seat in parliament for the sake of the country. “I don’t think we …

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