BANGKOK: The top diplomat of Myanmar’s ruling junta briefed neighbouring countries on its plans to hold an election next year amid an escalating civil war, including potentially inviting foreign poll observers, Thai officials said on Thursday (Dec 19).
Thailand is hosting two separate regional meetings on Myanmar this week, the first involving the war-torn country’s five neighbours, including China, Bangladesh and India, followed by one on Friday of some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc.
In Thursday’s meeting, the junta’s foreign minister Than Swe outlined a political roadmap and progress on election preparations, including a population census and registration of 53 political parties, said Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.
“He said there is an intention to invite foreign (election) observers, such as from neighbouring countries,” Maris told reporters, referring to Than Swe and providing details of a rare explanation to the international community by the Myanmar junta.
Myanmar has been in turmoil since early 2021 when its military overthrew an elected civilian government and cracked down on ensuing pro-democracy protests, triggering a nationwide armed rebellion that has grown in strength.
Despite being battered on multiple frontlines, contending with a collapsing economy and dozens of political parties banned, the junta is pushing to hold an election in 2025 – an exercise that has been widely derided as a sham by its critics.
The reaction of Myanmar’s neighbours to the junta’s election plan was “positive overall”, Thai foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said, underlining that all countries wanted a swift solution to the crisis.
“The foreign minister of Myanmar said that it has an open door for inclusive political dialogue,” Nikorndej said.
