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Myanmar elections under junta will fuel violence: UN

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military toppled democratically elected State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and her civilian government almost two years ago, alleging massive fraud during elections her party won in 2020.

AP

UN Special Envoy on Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer declared last September that she will not make another visit aimed at helping restore peace and stability in the Southeast Asia nation unless its military administration allows her to meet ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Junta plans for elections marking the end of the state of emergency in Myanmar this year will "fuel greater violence", a United Nations special envoy remarked on Tuesday, calling for the international community to unite in opposition.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military toppled Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government almost two years ago, alleging massive fraud during elections her party won in 2020.

The junta-imposed state of emergency is due to expire at the end of January, after which the constitution states authorities must set in motion plans to hold fresh elections.

Any military-run elections "will fuel greater violence, prolong the conflict and make the return to democracy and stability more difficult", UN special envoy Noeleen Heyzer said in a statement.

She called for the international community to "forge a stronger unified position" on the planned polls.

"It is inconceivable any form of peaceful & democratic transition can be initiated by those perpetrating harm on their own citizens" says #UN special envoy Noeleen Heyzer of #Myanmar's #military. This on eve of nation marking 2 years under #militarycoup. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/Li4IjD89zz
— May Wong (@MayWongCNA) January 31, 2023

The United States has said any elections would be a "sham". Close junta ally Moscow says it supports holding polls.

A spokesman for UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said on Monday he was "concerned by the military's stated intention to hold elections amid... ongoing arrests, intimidation and harassment of political leaders, civil society actors and journalists".

"Without conditions that permit the people of Myanmar to freely exercise their political rights, the proposed polls risk exacerbating instability," the statement said.

2 years since the Myanmar military overturned the democratically elected civilian Government, the crisis continues to deteriorate.

The @UN will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their democratic aspirations for an inclusive, peaceful & just society.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) January 31, 2023

The junta gave existing and aspiring political parties two months to re-register under a strict new electoral law this month, the latest sign it is planning fresh polls this year.

Observers say the planned poll cannot be free and fair under the present circumstances.

The UN Security Council passed its first resolution on the situation in Myanmar last month, urging the junta to release Suu Kyi and all "arbitrarily detained prisoners".

Security Council permanent members China and Russia abstained, opting not to wield vetoes following amendments to the wording.

India, which has close ties with the junta, also abstained.

Diplomatic efforts to resolve Myanmar's bloody impasse led by the United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional bloc have made little headway, with the generals refusing to engage with opponents.

Heyzer met senior junta leaders in the capital Naypyidaw in August last year during her first visit, 10 months after her appointment.

The trip drew criticism from both the junta and the military's opponents.

She was denied access to Suu Kyi and junta officials later accused her of issuing a "one-sided statement" of what had been discussed.

SOURCE: TRTWorld and agencies