August 6th, 2021
The military council’s cancellation of the results of the 2020 General Elections may turn back the Union’s progress of democratic transition, according to a statement by the Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) on August 5th.
U Myo Win, Vice-Chair of the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) said: “The cancellation of the election results greatly hinders the process of resolving political issues through political means. The people have experienced electoral politics. Now the political space needs expanding. Based on it, the public’s confidence in electoral politics may drop.”
The Union Election Commission formed by the military council announced on July 26th that the results of the General Elections held on November 8th, 2020, were annulled.
Necessary preparations for the elections would complete in August, 2023, said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing via the military-owned TV on August 1st, which marks six months since the coup.
According to the emergency provisions enshrined in the 2008 Constitution, the council would hold onto the power for two years in total—first six months and an additional six months twice. The council would abide by these provisions after the expiration of the emergency period, it would take an additional six months for the election, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chair of the Military Council said.
In his speech to mark six months since the military coup, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said efforts were being made to hold the election and then to hand over the country’s power to the winning party.
U Myo Win, Vice-Chair of the ABSDF said: “More emphasis should be placed on how to solve the political crisis caused by the 2020 General Elections rather than the next election. Priority should be given to the current political, social and COVID problems rather than the matter in the next two years.”
Since February 1st to August 4th, the total number of people killed by security forces reached 946 and 5,495 people were detained, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
The people in Myanmar have been staging anti-coup protests although it has been six months since the coup.
At the same time, the people’s defense forces are formed in townships across the country in order to fight against the military council.
Written by Aung Htein (DMG).
