Will Myanmar's elections give its military junta the global recognition it desires? | DW News

Key Concepts

• Military Junta (Hunta): The ruling military government of Myanmar.
• National League of Democracy (NLD): The political party led by Aung San Suu Kyi, dissolved by the military.
• 2021 Coup: The military takeover that ousted the civilian government.
• Civil War: Ongoing conflict between the military and various resistance groups.
• Legitimacy: The military’s attempt to gain international and domestic acceptance of its rule.
• Constitutional Provisions: Specifically, the requirement for elections within six months of lifting a state of emergency and the allocation of 25% of parliamentary seats to military-backed MPs.
• Rebel Held Territories: Areas controlled by opposition groups, largely excluded from the election process.
• Rohingya Genocide: The systematic persecution of the Rohingya Muslim minority, referenced as a historical context of military rule atrocities.

Myanmar Elections Under Military Rule: A Detailed Analysis

Introduction

The video report focuses on the ongoing elections in Myanmar, the first since the 2021 military coup. These elections are occurring amidst a severe civil war and a significant humanitarian crisis, and are widely criticized internationally. The report features insights from journalist Tommy Walker in Bangkok and Yanghee Lee, a former UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, providing a comprehensive overview of the situation.

The Military’s Motivation for Holding Elections

Tommy Walker explains that the military junta is holding elections primarily to attempt to legitimize its rule, both domestically and internationally. The 2021 coup triggered a constitutional requirement for elections within six months of lifting the declared state of emergency. The military has repeatedly extended this state of emergency, ultimately leading to the current elections. The junta aims to present an image of returning Myanmar to democracy and securing international recognition. However, Walker emphasizes that the elections are widely viewed as a sham due to the dissolution of the National League of Democracy (NLD), the imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi, and the lack of genuine opposition parties.

Election Process and Participation

The elections are being conducted in three phases, with results expected by the end of January. However, voter turnout is significantly lower than in the 2020 elections (even accounting for the COVID-19 pandemic). Walker notes that many, particularly young people, are refusing to participate, and dozens of townships are not taking part in the poll. This reflects a widespread lack of trust in the military. Furthermore, the Myanmar constitution reserves 25% of parliamentary seats for military-backed MPs, ensuring continued military influence even with opposition participation. Yanghee Lee highlights that elections are being held in only 102 of 330 townships, with 20 constituencies cancelled just the night before the first phase, demonstrating the limited control the junta has over the country.

Youth Disengagement and the Future of Myanmar

A key point raised by Walker is the significant absence of young people from the polls. He connects this to their leading role in the protests following the 2021 coup, which they termed a “revolution” against the military government. Their refusal to vote signals a rejection of the military as a legitimate governing force, raising questions about Myanmar’s future.

Lack of Credibility and International Implications

Yanghee Lee unequivocally states that the elections have “absolutely none whatsoever” credibility. She points out that major opposition parties were barred from running, rebel-held territories are excluded, and free campaigning was impossible. She emphasizes that people are not free to vote in areas experiencing ongoing military violence, including bombings. Lee also highlights the junta’s desire for international recognition, specifically mentioning China’s interest in stability in Myanmar and Min Aung Hlaing’s ambition to become president. She warns that international acceptance of the elections through diplomatic engagement (e.g., sending ambassadors) would make the international community complicit in the “egregious crimes” committed against the Myanmar people.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s Symbolic Power

Despite being imprisoned, Aung San Suu Kyi continues to enjoy significant public support, particularly in terms of morale. However, Lee notes that the younger generation, having experienced five years of the coup, increasingly recognizes the revolutionary forces and is willing to risk everything for a democratic future.

Historical Context: The Rohingya Genocide

Yanghee Lee references the 2016-2017 Rohingya genocide as a historical example of atrocities committed during decades of military rule in Myanmar, underscoring the junta’s long history of human rights abuses and “divide and rule” tactics.

Key Arguments and Perspectives

• The Military’s Perspective: The junta views the elections as a pathway to legitimacy and political stability, aiming to demonstrate a return to democracy.
• Critics’ Perspective: Opponents and international observers consider the elections a sham designed to consolidate military power and gain international recognition without genuine democratic processes.
• Yanghee Lee’s Perspective: The elections are an “egregious crime” against the people of Myanmar, lacking any credibility and potentially enabling further atrocities through international acceptance.

Notable Quotes

• Yanghee Lee: “There is really no support… for the Hunta. The people do not support the military at all.”
• Yanghee Lee: “Absolutely none whatsoever [credibility in these elections].”
• Tommy Walker: “Critics observers will say it's to legitimize their own rule um and that this called these elections a sham.”

Conclusion

The elections in Myanmar are a deeply flawed attempt by the military junta to legitimize its rule. Widespread public disengagement, particularly among the youth, the exclusion of opposition parties, and the ongoing civil war render the process fundamentally undemocratic. The international community faces a critical decision: whether to recognize the elections and potentially enable further atrocities, or to maintain pressure on the junta and support the pursuit of genuine democracy in Myanmar. The future of Myanmar hinges on both the internal resistance and the international response to this manufactured electoral process.