Myanmar’s military government charge hundreds with breaking election law as voting date nears

Myanmar’s military regime has charged more than 200 people under a stringent voting law as it prepares for a controversial election starting December 28, intensifying its crackdown on political opposition.

Home Affairs Minister Lt.-Gen. Tun Tun Naung announced Tuesday that authorities have taken action against 229 individuals—201 men and 28 women—in 140 cases related to alleged election sabotage, according to state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper. The report did not provide specifics about those charged or confirm how many had been arrested.

The upcoming election, which will be conducted in three phases concluding on January 25, has drawn widespread criticism. Opponents argue the polls are designed merely to legitimize military rule that began in February 2021, when the army ousted the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The military government enacted a harsh election law in July that imposes severe penalties on those who speak against, organize, incite, protest, or distribute materials that could disrupt the electoral process. Sentences range from three to ten years’ imprisonment with fines, with some offenses carrying potential death sentences.

Among those charged are prominent activists Tayzar San, Nan Lin, and Htet Myat Aung, who led a December 3 demonstration in Mandalay calling for election boycotts, abolition of military conscription, and the release of political prisoners. The General Strike Coordination Body, a leading non-violent opposition organization, reported Wednesday that 24-year-old Htet Myat Aung was arrested by security forces and allegedly subjected to abuse, raising concerns about his safety.

State media has also reported charges against filmmakers, performers, children, members of pro-democracy People’s Defense Forces militias, and ethnic armed groups fighting against military rule. Local news outlets, including Myanmar Now, indicate that some defendants have received sentences as long as 49 years in prison. Most were reportedly charged for actions such as destroying campaign materials, threatening election workers, or posting critical comments on social media.

The widespread resistance to military rule has escalated into a civil war, complicating election logistics in contested regions—a primary reason for the staggered voting schedule.

Military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun dismissed international criticism of the election at a Sunday briefing, stating: “It does not matter whether the international community is satisfied or dissatisfied with the election because it is being held for Myanmar, not for the international community.” He added, “Those who want to criticize can do so. We will continue to pursue our original objective of returning to a multi-party democratic system.”

Critics point to the forced dissolution of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party in 2023 as a key factor undermining the election’s legitimacy. The NLD had secured landslide victories in both the 2015 and 2020 elections, with independent observers confirming the validity of these results despite military claims of irregularities.

Suu Kyi, now 80, remains imprisoned with combined sentences totaling 27 years following a series of politically motivated prosecutions. Recent reports have raised concerns about her health, though military authorities denied these claims on Tuesday, insisting she is in good condition.

The current electoral process takes place against a backdrop of continuing civil unrest, with many regions of Myanmar experiencing active conflict between military forces and resistance groups. Human rights organizations have consistently condemned the junta’s violent suppression of dissent and questioned whether meaningful democratic participation is possible under such conditions.