War-torn Myanmar to hold first general election since 2021 coup
Myanmar is set to hold its first general election since the 2021 military coup. The election will take place in October and will be the first election since the 1990 election to include opposition parties. The main opposition party, the National Unity Government (NUG), has called for the election to be postponed, saying the junta lacks the necessary electoral preparations and has created an atmosphere of fear. The junta has said the election will go ahead as planned.
What's Next?
The opposition has called for votes against the military to be mobilised. The NUG has also called for nationwide protests ahead of the election. It is unclear whether the election will be free and fair, with the junta having yet to allow international election observers to determine the validity of the election. Only one in five Myanmar residents support the military's election plan. The upcoming election is sure to spark controversy and protest both domestically and internationally.
