Myanmar’s military government has announced plans to conduct a nationwide population and household census in October, paving the way for a promised election next year. However, the forthcoming election has been widely derided as a sham, with the outcome unlikely to be recognised by Western countries.
The census data collected between October 1-15 will be used “in compilation of correct and accurate voter lists which is a basic need for successfully holding a free and fair multi-party democratic general election,” according to junta chief Min Aung Hlaing. The proposed election has already faced significant backlash.
Many political parties, including the dominant National League for Democracy (NLD), have been disbanded for not registering to run. The NLD’s government was ousted by the military in a February 2021 coup, which sparked widespread protests and an armed resistance movement that the junta has struggled to contain.
Many NLD politicians including Suu Kyi were arrested, while those who fled said the junta’s allegations of fraud over voter lists were baseless and trumped-up to justify the coup.
The junta does not have effective control over much of the country, having lost authority over townships covering 86% of Myanmar’s territory that houses 67% of the population, the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar said in a May report. Thousands of young people have also fled abroad after the junta’s call for conscription to replenish its weakened forces.
Despite this, the military government has received support from China, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi promising technological assistance for the census-taking process. The parallel National Unity Government (NUG), comprising former lawmakers and junta opponents, has called on the international community and neighboring countries to denounce the election and census process.
As Myanmar continues to grapple with the fallout from the military coup and the ongoing conflict, the junta’s plans for a census and election have been met with skepticism and condemnation from both domestic and international actors.
Melissa Enoch
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