Myanmar junta’s election body says voting will be held in 267 townships, assuming security can be guaranteed, in December or January.
However, it may vary depending on the security situation at the time the election dates are announced, it said.
The civilian National Unity Government said around 144 out of the country’s 330 townships are under the control of anti-regime groups and 79 townships are experiencing ongoing conflict.
Myanmar’s junta boss Min Aung Hlaing has promised voting in December or January with no confirmed date.
The junta-controlled Union Election Commission (UEC) told CNI Burmese that both the first past the post and proportional representation electoral systems and electronic voting would be used.
The commission has approved 54 political parties, with only the military’s proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party, the National Unity Party, Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party, People’s Pioneer Party and five other parties competing nationwide.
The National League for Democracy, which won the 2020 general election with a landslide, was dissolved by the regime after it failed to register with the UEC. The party’s leaders, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, have been jailed by the regime.
The previously popular Shan National League for Democracy was also dissolved.
Western countries, the NUG, anti-regime groups and most of Myanmar’s people regard any junta election as a sham to maintain the regime’s grip on power.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations chair Malaysia has urged the junta to halt violence instead of conducting an election, while Min Aung Hlaing claims China, Russia and other allies support his election.
