The upcoming election in Myanmar: Democratic opportunity or farce?

On 1 February 2021, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and the Myanmar military launched a coup that prevented the newly elected National League for Democracy government from assuming office, claiming that the NLD’s landslide win was plagued by electoral irregularities. Now the Myanmar junta is planning its own election, with the first round of polls set to take place on 28 December, followed by a second round on January 11, and a final round due at the end of the month.  

What’s the likely outcome of this electoral exercise, and will it be free or fair? How will polls even be held, given the fact that fighting continues across many parts of the country between the military and and an array of ethnic armed organizations and peace defense force militias? Given the resistance’s serious opposition to the polls, will conducting elections result in a further uptick in violence and possibly even worsen the situation? Finally, will the elections result in any changes to Myanmar’s current governance, its political future, and its international standing? These and many other questions are being asked by government officials, diplomats, journalists, civil society groups and others who will be watching the elections closely.

Join us for a pre-election discussion with a panel of Myanmar experts who are watching these developments:

Confirmed panelists:

Khin Ohmar, veteran Burmese political activist.

Amael Vier, election analyst, Myanmar program, Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL).

Debbie Stothard, coordinator/founder, ALTSEAN-Burma.

James Rodehaver, chief, Myanmar team, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

Moderator: Phil Robertson, director, Asia Human Rights & Labour Advocates (AHRLA) and FCCT board member.

Members who wish to book in advance should email info@fccthai.com or call the FCCT office on 02-652-0580.

Non-members can use this link.

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