Myanmar junta to prosecute hundreds for election disruptions

AWANI

Myanmar’s military junta says it is prosecuting more than 200 people under new election laws, as rights groups warn the measures are being used to suppress dissent ahead of military-run polls.

Transcript

00:00Myanmar's military junta says it is seeking to prosecute more than 200 people

00:05for allegedly disrupting upcoming military-led elections.

00:09Home Affairs Minister Thun Thun Nang says the suspects are accused of attempting to

00:14sabotage election processes, according to state media.

00:19The junta said it is pursuing legal action against 229 individuals under new legislation

00:26introduced in July to prevent what it calls obstruction, disruption and destruction of

00:31the polls. The military is promoting phased elections starting December 28th as a step

00:37towards national reconciliation. But opposition groups have vowed to block the road in areas

00:42they control, while international observers have dismissed the ballot as a pretext to extend

00:48military rule. The July law bans criticism or protests against the elections and carries

00:54harsh penalties. Convictions can result in up to 10 years in prison, with authorities

00:59already making arrests for minor online activity, including reacting with a heart emoji to post

01:05criticizing the polls. Myanmar has been locked in conflict since the military seized power

01:10in a 2021 coup, with critics saying the upcoming elections are designed to legitimize continued

01:16military rule rather than restore democracy.

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