Irrawaddy-July 7
While Myanmar’s military regime busies itself with hosting peace talks and preparations for elections slated for the end of this year, many across the country remain deeply distrustful—believing that neither genuine peace nor a free and fair election is possible under the junta’s rule. The junta’s latest “Peace Forum” concluded in Naypyitaw on June 27. The three-day event was attended by political parties that have registered for the junta’s poll; selected ethnic representatives; invited diplomats and international guests from countries including China, India, Thailand and Russia; army officers; and representatives of local and international NGOs. Notably absent were representatives of the resistance forces and ethnic armed organizations that have been fighting the regime. Behind closed doors, junta officials and attendees discussed peace, federalism and challenges around the regime’s planned election. “The junta says they are going to bring peace. But is it okay to leave out ethnic [armed groups fighting the junta]? I don’t think so,” said an internally displaced person (IDP) in her 40s from Karen State. She believed genuine peace was a long way off, given the continued armed conflict and the tensions on both sides. She had to flee her home due to fighting that erupted after the 2021 coup and is now living in an IDP camp in the border town of Myawaddy, Karen State. While hosting the peace forum, the junta accelerated its preparations for the election that it has announced will be held in December 2025 or January 2026. Its preparations have included amending the Union Election Commission Law to allow government staff to chair all election bodies. The military regime now controls only 107 of Myanmar’s 330 townships—just 32 percent—according to a report by the civilian National Unity Government (NUG).The junta’s election body, however, said voting will be held in 267 townships, assuming security can be guaranteed. The country’s most popular party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), was dissolved by the junta, and its leaders, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, have been jailed. The election has been condemned as a sham by UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews, Western governments, the NUG, and pro-democracy parties. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) told the junta an election should not be its priority amid the ongoing civil war. Read more at: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-people-skeptical-of-juntas-promises-of-election-peace.html
