Myanmar Junta Cancels Elections in 65 Constituencies Ahead of Polls

Myanmar’s military junta announced on Monday that elections scheduled for later this month will not be held in approximately one in seven national parliament constituencies. This decision comes as the junta grapples with numerous rebel forces opposing the polls.

The elections, set to commence in phases on December 28, 2023, were presented by the military as a pathway to national reconciliation following the coup that ousted the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. However, international observers and various political analysts have criticized the upcoming elections as a strategy to legitimize ongoing military rule. Many ousted lawmakers and armed opposition groups have already declared their intention to boycott the polls, further complicating the electoral landscape.

In a notice published by Myanmar’s Union Election Commission through state media, the junta confirmed that voting will not occur in 65 constituencies, which includes 56 lower house and nine upper house districts. The announcement did not specify reasons for the cancellations but stated that these areas had been deemed “not conducive to holding free and fair elections.” Notably, many of these constituencies are located in conflict zones or regions where the military has lost control to pro-democracy guerrillas and powerful ethnic minority armed groups.

With a total of 440 constituencies across Myanmar’s upper and lower houses, the canceled areas represent nearly 15 percent of the entire electoral landscape. Among the regions affected is the ruby mining town of Mogok, a stronghold for rebels, and several constituencies in western Rakhine state, where the military has faced significant setbacks. The junta has also intensified its military operations in these regions, including air strikes targeting areas held by opposition forces.

The military’s grip on power has been challenged since the outbreak of civil war following the coup, as various opposition groups launched a combined offensive beginning in late 2023. Although the junta has recently regained some territory, the overall situation remains fluid and precarious.

Additionally, a census conducted last year in preparation for the elections revealed significant shortcomings, with data missing for approximately 19 million of Myanmar’s estimated 51 million citizens. The provisional findings attributed this shortfall to “significant security constraints,” raising further concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.

As Myanmar approaches the scheduled elections, the landscape remains fraught with uncertainty. The military’s efforts to present a façade of legitimacy through the polls stand in stark contrast to the ongoing conflict and widespread opposition to its rule. The international community watches closely, as the outcomes of these elections will have lasting implications for Myanmar’s political future and the well-being of its citizens.