The Union Election Commission under the military-led State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC) has declared that the first of its three election phases will occur on December 28. So far, 54 political parties have been approved to participate, and the election body stated that voting is to be held in 267 townships out of the country’s 330. However, the feasibility of conducting polling in all 267 townships remains highly questionable, as several of these areas have been captured or controlled by ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), some of whom have openly rejected the election plan.
Ahead of the planned elections, the SSPC has begun sending a delegation to Shan State to meet with two EAOs; the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA). On August 6, the SSPC delegation, led by Shan State Chief Minister Aung Aung, visited the headquarters of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Pangsang. The delegation met with UWSA leaders, including its three Vice-Chairmen, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Zhao Zhongdang, Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Zhao Guoan, and Minister for Political Affairs Zhao Yannalai, among others. According to media reports, the discussions reportedly focused on local development issues and election matters, with the delegation requesting election support from the UWSA.
The following day, the SSPC delegation visited the Mongla headquarters of the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), an EAO operational in Eastern Shan State. Similar to the UWSA visit, the delegation and NDAA members reportedly discussed elections and local development matters. The NDAA spokesperson told the media that they also discussed the recent imposition of martial law in Mongla territory and that the delegation assured them that the procedure would not cause any irregularities and that normalcy would be maintained. During the formation of the SSPC, the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) announced martial law in 15 Shan State townships, including those under the control of the UWSA and NDAA.
Both the UWSA and NDAA emerged from the 1989 collapse of the Communist Party of Burma (CPB), and have maintained decades-long ceasefires with the Myanmar military and remained mostly politically neutral following the 2021 coup. They sent condolences on the passing of U Myint Swe, former Acting President, and were among the attendees of the recent peace forum organized by the SSPC’s predecessor, the State Administration Council (SAC), ahead of the planned elections.
So far, among EAOs, the Arakan Army (ULA/AA) has publicly declared its opposition to the planned general elections, stating that it won’t allow polling to take place in its territory, while the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) has vowed to prevent it from taking place. Karen National Union (KNU) Chair Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win has also called for blocking the planned election. While the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) declared its opposition to the planned election in 2023, it has not issued an official statement regarding this year’s polls. Meanwhile, Major-General San Aung, Chief of Staff of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) - a signatory Karen EAO to the 2015 NCA - stated that there will be no credible elections in the absence of peace in DKBA-held territories. In Mon State, the New Mon State Party chairman Naing Han Thar said that the election would not be acceptable due to lack of transparency.
