Tensions are high in Myanmar with rumours swirling of a possible military coup. Some within the leadership of the Burmese navy have overtly circulated inflammatory statements regarding attainable electoral fraud. The US embassy, along with sixteen different countries together with former colonial power Britain and EU countries, released a press release yesterday urging for the army “adhere to democratic norms”. They’ve expressed their concerns following November’s elections and allegations of “electoral misconduct”. The claims comply with the landslide victory for the National League for Democracy with Aung San Suu Kyi as their chief.
Fears grew this week after Myanmar’s influential military chief Gen Min Aung Hlaing echo sentiments of President Win Myint after he mentioned the country’s structure might be “revoked” underneath certain circumstances.
Some highly effective military officers allege there have been 10 million cases of voter fraud nationwide, a claim they demand is investigated. They’ve additionally demanded the discharge of voters lists from the election commission for verification.
The the country’s election commission released a statement on Thursday defending the scenario, stating that the polls were “free, truthful and credible”, and had “reflected the will of the people”.
In a 6 web page assertion on its Facebook page, the Election Commission said that it was investigating 287 complaints, however that on the entire, voting was performed fairly and transparently on November 8.
“In this election, weaknesses and errors in voters lists can not cause voting fraud.”
Myanmar is only 10 years into a period of quasi-democracy after practically 50 years of strict army rule. But even now the government rule though the filter of a junta-authored structure that leaves the elected civilian administration having to work through the country’s generals.
The situation is similar to Thailand the place the a navy junta that seized energy in May 2014 re-write the country’s constitution installing a Junta-appointed Senate to oversee all matters raised via the elected decrease house, following the March 2019 nationwide election.
The tensions eased slightly yesterday when the Myanmar Supreme Court postponed contemplating allegations of electoral misconduct by President Win Myint and the election commission chairman Hla Thein.
President Win Myint is seen as an important ally and placeholder for State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the actual head of presidency in Myanmar however is constitutionally barred from the presidency.
The country’s military has been alleging widespread voter irregularities since November’s common election. Six-figure Kyi’s ruling National League for Democracy gained the election in a landslide. It captured 396 out of 476 seats, paving the means in which for another 5 yr term. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party won solely 33 of the 476 seats.
Aung San Suu Kyi is the primary and incumbent State Counsellor of Myanmar, she can be the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD).
In a statement from the US embassy, the Ambassador expressed hopes that Myanmar’s parliament would sit, on schedule this Monday.
“We look forward to the peaceful convening of the Parliament on February 1 and the election of the president and speakers. We oppose any attempt to alter the result of the elections or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition.”
November’s polls had been only the second ‘democratic’ elections Myanmar has has hosted since emerging from a draconian half century of army dictatorship.
Khin Zaw Win, a political analyst in Yangon and former political prisoner, suggested the navy was signalling its intention to intervene within the country’s politics. Speaking to the South China Morning Post….
“The military’s course of action is much clearer now. As illogical as it sounds, military chief Min Aung Hlaing’s argument is meant to melt the blow of abrogating the 2008 structure.”
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres additionally raised “great concern” over Myanmar’s current developments..