CIVICUS discusses Myanmar’s upcoming general election with Lynn Htett, a human rights activist and coordinator of Towards Media, a grassroots initiative that documents human rights violations, promotes civic education and supports democratic movements in Myanmar.

Myanmar’s military junta has scheduled a general election for 28 December, presenting this as a step towards restoring civilian rule. However, with major opposition parties dissolved, leaders imprisoned and large areas of the country experiencing armed conflict, the election can be expected to consolidate military control than restore democracy.

What are your expectations for the election?

It is nothing but a military-orchestrated sham designed to give false legitimacy to the junta. China is backing this charade because it serves its interests. The process fails every test of democratic legitimacy – it’s neither free, fair nor inclusive.

The main opposition parties that won in 2020 – the National League for Democracy and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy – have been banned outright. What’s left is the Union Solidarity and Development Party, which is the military’s puppet party, plus a few minor parties that didn’t win seats last time. The process is designed to entrench military power and deny the public’s will.

Meanwhile, the junta has created a total information blackout. Independent media outlets have been crushed, journalists are being arrested and intimidated daily and internet access is heavily restricted. In areas that dare resist military rule, civilians face escalating violence and arbitrary detention.

All this completely violates the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ Five-Point Consensus, which calls for an immediate end to violence, inclusive dialogue, humanitarian access, the appointment of a special envoy and regular reporting. The military is essentially spitting in the face of its regional commitments.

What should the international response be?

We need to understand what we’re really facing here. Since the 2021 coup, the military has been consolidating authoritarian control with help from a global network of autocrats. Myanmar’s dictator Min Aung Hlaing has the backing of China’s Xi Jinping, North Korea’s Kim Jong Un and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Autocrats are working in coordination, sharing tactics and supporting each other.

Democratic states must respond with the same level of unity and coordination. Half-measures and polite diplomatic protests won’t cut it anymore. The world must recognise this as a sham election and support our struggle for genuine democracy. We need sustained diplomatic pressure, comprehensive sanctions and robust support for Myanmar’s civil society. If democratic states let this sham election proceed without serious consequences, they’re essentially giving a green light to every other authoritarian regime planning similar moves.

What needs to happen next?

For a genuine transition to democracy to happen, the military must get out of politics entirely and end all violence against civilians. It must immediately release every political prisoner – starting with Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the National League for democracy – so parties can compete freely.

But prisoner releases are just the beginning. Myanmar needs a transitional government including all revolutionary groups fighting the junta and genuinely representing Myanmar’s people. This must be accompanied by proper transitional justice that documents the military’s crimes and ensures accountability. International support will be crucial to give this process legitimacy.

Any credible electoral system requires an independent election commission, completely free media access, safe conditions for all participants and equal opportunities for every party. Until those basics are in place, any election will be meaningless.

As for timing, that’s the hardest question. The military is entrenching itself with backing from China and India, while too many democratic governments stay silent. But Myanmar’s revolutionary groups remain resilient and determined. Until a proper transitional framework emerges, our struggle continues.