NLD rejects military regime’s proposed 2023 election

By DMG 09 Jul 2022

DMG Newsroom
9 July 2022, Sittwe 

The National League for Democracy (NLD) on Saturday rejected plans by Myanmar’s military regime to hold a redo general election next year. 

In a statement, the NLD called the junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) illegitimate, and said the results of the 2020 general election, which the NLD won handily, still represent the will of the people. 

The military’s February 2021 coup and its nullification of the 2020 election results provoked a popular revolt and widespread condemnation among the international community. As the country’s post-coup crisis continues to unfold, the regime is attempting to hold a new general election to deceive the people and international observers, the NLD statement said. 

Voter turnout in the 2020 general elections was 71 percent. The NLD won 920 out of 1,127 seats up for grabs nationwide. The military’s proxy party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), won just 71 seats. 

Local and international poll monitors have said the election was largely free and fair, with no major irregularities reported. 

The military seized power on February 1 of last year, using alleged electoral fraud as a pretence. The regime has since said that it plans to hold a redo election in August 2023, and claims it will transfer power to the winning party.  

The junta is also taking steps to replace Myanmar’s first-past-the-post electoral system — used in the 2010, 2015 and 2020 general elections — with a system of proportional representation, which is widely expected to benefit the USDP if implemented.