Holding election requires ending armed conflicts in respective area: Senior General
360
Phyo (NP News) - Feb 23
The message for the Chin National Day ceremony by the Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) emphasized that the SAC is working towards the ultimate goal of holding a free and fair multi-party democratic general election. It was also stated that such elections can only take place when armed conflicts in the respective regions cease.
The 77th Chin National Day ceremony, which falls on February 20, 2025, was held at the Military Stadium in Hakha, Chin State. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and member of the SAC, Admiral Tin Aung San, Union Minister for Border Affairs, Lt. Gen. Yar Pyae, members of the SAC, Dr. Mu Thang and Dr. Ba Shwe, Union Ministers, and Deputy Ministers.
At the ceremony, it is reported that Admiral Tin Aung San read out a message from the Chairman of the SAC to mark the 77th Chin National Day.
The message states that the SAC will implement in accordance with the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) to end the ongoing armed conflicts.
Therefore, the SAC Chairman stated that they have held talks with the ethnic armed groups and continue to offer open discussions, and that the door is always open for lasting peace.
While there may be many ways to resolve the current political crisis in Myanmar, the approach by using election is the least damaging. Although the election is scheduled for 2025, most townships are still unstable due to the current political conflict. Therefore, holding elections nationwide could be a difficult task, Senior General stated.
Therefore, it is possible that respective regional elections could only be held once conflicts are resolved and peace is achieved according to the message of the SAC Chairman.
At a meeting with the Union Election Commission and political parties on December 7, 2024, the commission chairman said that elections could only be held in 161 of the 330 townships in Myanmar, according to sources who attended the meeting.
While the election may be a way out of the current political conflict, political parties will need security and stability to conduct their campaigning. –