Bangkok: Thai officials reported on Thursday ( Dec. 19 ) that the top diplomat of Myanmar’s ruling junta informed neighboring nations of its plans to hold elections next year amid an escalating civil war, including the potential invitation of foreign poll observers.
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 conference, the regime’s foreign secretary Than Swe outlined a political strategy and progress on election procedures, including a community survey 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 experienced unrest since early 2021 when its army overthrew an elected civilian authorities and retaliated against pro-democracy protests that followed, triggering a strong global military rebellion.
The coup is pushing to hold an election in 2025 despite being battered on numerous frontlines, dealing with a collapsed business, and having lots of political events banned, a practice that its critics have long branded a fake.
According to Indian foreign ministry official Nikorndej Balankura, the neighbors of Myanmar’s country were “positive overall,” underscoring that all nations wanted a quick resolution to the issue.
According to Nikorndej,” the foreign minister of Myanmar stated that it has an open doorway for equitable political dialogue.”