Shwe Phee Myay, Aug 23
The Ta’ang Land Council (TLC) has condemned and objected the junta-planned “General Election” by describing it as a sham, according to its statement released on Friday.
The TLC, the highest political governing body overseeing executive, legislative, and judicial functions within the territories controlled by the Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA), described the junta-planned elections as merely an attempt to perpetuate the dictatorship and for the junta to maintain power without legitimacy.
The TLC has called on the people not to participate in the junta-planned election and has also requested that international governments not recognize it, but instead object to it.
The junta’s military is continuously and deliberately launching artillery and airstrikes every day on civilian areas throughout the country, and the TLC has also condemned such acts of terror committed by the junta.
During a one-month period from July 21 to August 21, the junta military’s airstrikes in the TNLA-controlled townships of Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Mogok, Kutkai, and Mongngawt killed at least 59 civilians and injured over 100 others, according to a TLC statement.
The first phase of the junta’s planned general elections includes Nawnghkio, which the junta retook control of in July; Lashio, which the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) handed back under pressure from China; and Muse, a border trading town on the Chinese border.
According to the statement released by the junta-controlled Union Election Commission (UEC) on August 20, the first phase of the General Election is planned for December 28 and will be held in 102 townships, or one-third of the country’s areas.
The townships where elections are planned to be held include 12 in Shan State, 3 in Rakhine State, 3 in Karen State, 2 in Karenni State, 5 in Mon State, and 2 in Chin State; the remaining townships are in the regions.
Translated by #KLT
You can read and listen to our Shwe Phee Myay’s reports, not only on Facebook and our Website, but also on the following channels:
