Election poses security risk to public in conflict-hit townships: research group

By Admin 28 Aug 2025

DMG Newsroom

28 August 2025, Mrauk-U

The BNI-Myanmar Peace Monitor reports that of the 102 townships where Myanmar's military regime has announced that it will hold "phase 1" of the elections, more than 70 percent are experiencing military conflict.

The BNI-Myanmar Peace Monitor has assessed that the military regime's holding of phase 1 of the election in these townships poses a serious security risk to those involved in the election process, including the public.

"If we look at the 102 townships, 72 townships are experiencing military conflict. This means that there is insecurity due to military conflict. This insecurity is not a major concern for the military regime, but rather for holding elections," said Ko Hnin Ko, head of BNI-Myanmar Peace Monitor.

The BNI-Myanmar Peace Monitor says that the junta-planned elections are likely to be held only in urban areas in the townships of Myawaddy, Kalay, Nawnghkio, Muse, Loikaw, Monywa, Dawei, Homalin, Kyaikto, Tamu, Hakha, Tedim, and Kyaukphyu.

The BNI-Myanmar Peace Monitor said the military regime's election plan is aimed at holding a sham election, rather than ensuring that the people can vote freely and safely.

With the election looking increasingly likely to take place, analysts say it is not so much whether the junta will get its intended result in a sham vote, but rather what kind of movements will take shape among the anti-regime forces ahead of the election.

"There are also questions about what the revolutionary forces are doing, how they are preparing, and whether they can form a multi-army. As far as we can see, we have not seen any specific method. We have not seen any political roadmap and political strategy that will be carefully formulated and announced to the public by all the revolutionary forces," said Daw Tin Tin Nyo, Managing Director of BNI-Myanmar Peace Monitor, at the launch of the book "Deciphering Myanmar's Peace Process - A Reference Guide (2024-2025)" on August 26.

The military regime has announced that phase 1 of the elections will be held in 102 townships in December, and has enacted a law that could punish those who disrupt the elections with imprisonment or even the death penalty.

It is expected to hold elections in at least parts of the three townships it still controls in Arakan State - Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung.