For the first time in five years, Myanmar’s parliament convened today. The body is largely comprised of supporters of the military regime, formed based on recent elections widely criticized as “misleading” and “sham.”
The parliament had been unable to meet for years due to the military’s long-standing rule. The 2020 elections, which saw a decisive victory for the pro-democratic National League for Democracy (NLD), were overturned by a military coup in February 2021. NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested, and the party was dissolved, receiving multiple years in prison. A civil war has been ongoing in the country since the coup.
A Parliament Built on Contested Ground
During the parliamentary session, Khin Yi, leader of the Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP) and a close ally of the junta, was elected as the new speaker – the sole candidate for the position.
The USDP, backed by the military, secured 339 of the 586 seats in recent elections. A quarter of the seats were pre-allocated to the military, as stipulated by a law drafted by the junta itself.
Key opposition parties were barred from participating in the elections, while others boycotted them, deeming them unfair. Opposition parties that did participate won only between a few and twenty seats each.
Critics have described the elections as an attempt by the junta to legitimize its power. A United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council report characterized the elections as “highly choreographed” and “little more than election theater.”
Myanmar’s shadow parliament also convened today. This alternative parliament consists of parliamentarians elected in 2021, but prevented from governing after the coup. They consider themselves the legitimate government of the country, stating, “We are witnessing an attempt to mislead the public with these sham elections.”
The human rights situation in Myanmar remains dire. Since the 2021 coup, the junta has employed widespread violence and cracked down heavily on resistance. According to the UN, nearly a third of the Myanmar population requires humanitarian assistance, and over 12 million people are facing food insecurity. More than 3.5 million people have been displaced due to airstrikes by the military.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in the Myanmar elections? The elections were widely criticized as unfair and designed to legitimize the military regime.
- Who is Aung San Suu Kyi? She is the former leader of Myanmar who was ousted in the 2021 coup and has received multiple prison sentences.
- What is the current state of the conflict in Myanmar? A civil war is ongoing between the military junta and various resistance groups.
