Myanmar’s military regime has enacted a new law that imposes prison sentences on individuals who criticize, protest, or attempt to disrupt its upcoming national election, as reported by state media on Wednesday.
This action occurs amidst increasing opposition to the elections, which are set for later this year and have been dismissed by critics as a means to legitimize the junta’s authority following its coup in 2021.
The legislation, known as the Law on the Protection of Multiparty Democratic Elections from Obstruction, Disruption and Destruction, was passed on Tuesday, according to The Global New Light of Myanmar. It forbids “any speech, organizing, inciting, protesting, or distributing leaflets aimed at undermining any aspect of the electoral process.”
Opposition factions, including the democratically elected representatives ousted during the military takeover, have pledged to boycott the election. International observers have also denounced the election as a farce lacking legitimacy amid an ongoing civil conflict.
The junta has framed the election as a route to peace and stability in the war-torn nation.
Individuals found guilty under this law face prison terms ranging from three to seven years, while offenses committed collectively may lead to sentences of five to ten years.
The legislation further prohibits the destruction of ballot papers and polling stations, as well as the intimidation or harm of voters, candidates, and election officials, with a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Should anyone be killed during an attempt to disrupt the election, “everyone involved in the crime faces the death penalty,” according to the law.
Large areas of Myanmar remain outside the junta’s control, and some government census workers sent last year to collect data ahead of the election encountered resistance and security threats.
Provisional results indicated that data could not be gathered from approximately 19 million of the country’s 51 million population, partly due to “significant security constraints.”
Analysts have forecasted that the numerous anti-coup guerrillas and ethnic armed factions the junta is confronting may launch attacks leading up to the election as an indication of their dissent.
Last month, a UN expert urged the global community to dismiss the election proposal as “a fraud”.
Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, stated that the junta is “attempting to fabricate this illusion of an electoral process that will establish a legitimate civilian government.”
