Maung Sar Ga, Narinjara News, 26 August 2024

Myanmar military junta has officially announcedthat the national election will be conducted in November next year.

U Ko Ko, chairman of Union Election Commission (UEC),made the announcement at a meeting with political parties registered under thejunta in Naypyidaw on Saturday.

The junta chief senior general Min Aung Hlainghad earlier stated that he would transfer the power after the election, but did not specify about the time of polls.

The UEC urged the political parties to preparefor the election so that it can be conducted due on schedule.

The junta previously indicated that a proportionalrepresentation (PR) system would be implemented in the upcoming elections. Butthe 24 August meeting did not specify any electoral system.

Despite the widespread conflict which  isdevastating human lives, public & private property across the country, thejunta has announced the election timing.

The political analysts, noting that many peopleare fleeing from their places, do not expect a free and fair elections underthe current situation.

"Min Aung Hlaing will push forward withthe election with an aim to legitimize his control over the government andpresidency. The election is intended to legitimize his position and elect himas the president. So a genuine election is not feasible under hisinfluence," said U Than Soe Naing, a political analyst, while talking toNarinjara News.

UEC chairman U Ko Ko discussed election preparations,including the voter list accuracy and use of electronic voting machines, saidthe media reports in the junta-owned newspapers on 25 August.

Currently, 49 political parties are registeredwith the UEC. But the Arakan National Party (ANP), which enjoys significantpublic support in the Arakan region, was outlawed and denied its registration.

Among the registered parties, nine will conductnationwide electoral campaigns and the remaining parties will do at regionaland state levels. As the junta’s  election is a year and two monthsaway, they are preparing to conduct a population and housing census in thecountry starting from 1 October (till 15) keeping an eye on the national polls.

Photograph: A young woman from Arakan Statevoted in the 2020 national election