UN Chief Voices Doubt Over Fairness of Myanmar’s Upcoming Elections
(MENAFN) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced skepticism Monday over the integrity of Myanmar’s upcoming general elections, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian aid and an end to ongoing violence in the war-torn country.
“I don't think anybody believes that those elections will be free and fair,” Guterres said during a news conference in Malaysia on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits.
The Myanmar junta has announced plans to hold general elections on Dec. 28, marking the first vote since the military seized power in February 2021.
“I don't think anybody believes those in elections will contribute to the solution of the problems of Myanmar,” Guterres added.
He stressed the immediate priorities for the country, saying, “I think this is the moment in which we need to increase humanitarian assistance, to stop the violence, and at the same time to pave the way for a political evolution leading to civilian rule and to respect for a constitutional form of government.”
The previous general elections in the predominantly Buddhist nation took place in November 2020, resulting in a victory for the National League for Democracy. The military coup in February 2021 toppled that government, plunging Myanmar into over four years of emergency rule.
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