Ajit Karn
Wednesday, US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel issued a “strong” condemnation of the Myanmar military’s decision to dissolve 40 political parties, including the National League for Democracy.
Wednesday , during a press briefing, Vedant Patel stated that the elections in Myanmar cannot be deemed “free and fair” without the participation of all parties involved. In response to a query about the Myanmar military’s decision to dissolve political parties, including the National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi, he made these remarks. (NLD).
“We firmly condemn the decision by the Burmese military regime to abolish forty political parties, including, as you noted, the National League of Democracy. Any election held in Burma without the participation of all stakeholders would not be free or fair, according to Vedant Patel.
“And given the widespread opposition to military rule, it is probable that the regime’s unilateral push for elections will exacerbate instability. He added that we continue to support the efforts of all those striving to establish a genuine and inclusive democracy in Burma.
In response to a question about upcoming elections that the Myanmar army plans to hold, Vedant Patel stated, “If you remove the ability of 40 parties to participate in those elections, essentially holding elections without the participation of all of the relevant stakeholders, then yes, that would not be considered a free and fair election. Given, as I’ve stated, the opposition of the people and public to military rule, the regime’s unilateral drive towards elections will sadly lead to increased instability.”
Media reported, that Myanmar’s military-controlled election commission said Aung San Suu Kyi’s party will be dissolved for neglecting to re-register under a new electoral law.
Media reported, that the National League for Democracy (NLD) was among 40 political parties that failed to satisfy the ruling military’s election registration deadline.
In early January, the Myanmar military gave political parties two months to register under a strict new electoral law before promising to conduct new elections. The opponents, however, have stated that the elections will neither be free nor impartial. The NLD has stated that it will not participate in the elections and has deemed them illegitimate.
Also read this:Pope Francis hospitalised with breathing difficulties
In November 2020, the NLD won the parliamentary elections in Myanmar. However, the Myanmar military staged a coup less than three months later and imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi. She is currently serving a penitentiary sentence of 33 years. According to the news report, Aung San Suu Kyi has been convicted in a series of politically motivated military prosecutions.
