Myanmar’s military junta on Wednesday promised elections later this year and the release of more than 7,000 prisoners on the day that marks the country’s 75th anniversary of independence.
The leader of the military junta outlined plans for elections in 2023 and called for national unity in Myanmar (formerly Burma).
General Min Aung Hlaing urged other nations and international organizations, as well as the population itself, to support “the true multi-party and disciplinary democratic system”, a concept the military in power has set as its target.
The first real step towards holding elections could come later this month, when the last six-month extension of the state of emergency expires.
A state of emergency was imposed to allow military rule after the military takeover in February 2021 overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The military takeover ended nearly a decade of progress toward democracy after five decades of military rule. The military claimed to have acted because of massive electoral fraud in the poll, though independent election observers found no major irregularities.
“In accordance with the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair elections will be held in accordance with the 2008 constitution, and work will continue on the transfer of state duties to the winning party in accordance with democratic standards,” said Min. Aung Hlaing at today’s speech in the capital, where he also presided over a large-scale military parade.
Military junta vows to release more than 7,000 prisoners
The general election plan is widely seen as an attempt to normalize the military’s takeover of power through the ballot box and deliver a result that ensures the generals remain in control. The military will control the entire process and has spent the past two years weakening any credible opposition.
While not officially banned, the National League for Democracy, the popular former ruling party, was effectively dismantled, with leaders and many of its members sent to prison or forced underground.
All forms of dissent are currently suppressed by security forces, sometimes with deadly force.
Most of the country is still ravaged by armed conflict, and Min Aung Hlaing stressed that “the cessation of internal armed conflicts to ensure national solidarity and peace is an absolute necessity for the (…) country, and that this requires serious efforts must be made.” target”.
“It is clear that some organizations and countries have been interfering in Myanmar’s internal affairs. However, we have decided to stand firm on the global level, to stick to our foreign policy, to protect the sovereignty, security and interests of our country the statement said.
The military junta pledged to release more than 7,000 prisoners today to mark the 75th anniversary of British independence, a spokesman told AFP news agency.
“A total of 7,012 detainees will be pardoned on the 75th anniversary of Independence Day,” Zaw Min Tun told AFP, without specifying whether the amnesty included people detained during the military crackdown on demonstrations that followed the coup.
Source: DN
