ASEAN will not send observers to Myanmar’s upcoming elections, dealing a blow to the junta’s efforts to gain international legitimacy ahead of the December polls, diplomatic sources confirmed Monday.

 

The elections, set to begin on 28 December, have been promoted by junta chief Min Aung Hlaing as a path to reconciliation following his 2021 coup. But the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), meeting in Malaysia this week, expressed “deep concern” over the ongoing conflict and warned of “a lack of substantive progress” towards peace.

 

In a statement released Sunday, the bloc insisted that “cessation of violence and inclusive political dialogue must precede elections,” despite the junta’s invitation for ASEAN states to send monitors.

 

“There are no ASEAN observers, but countries may send monitors bilaterally,” one diplomat told AFP, noting the lack of consensus among member states to deploy a joint mission.

 

The decision underscores ASEAN’s cautious stance. Myanmar remains a member of the bloc, but its junta leaders have been barred from high-level meetings since the coup. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, current ASEAN chair, reiterated calls for an “immediate ceasefire” on Monday.

 

International criticism of the election has intensified. Human Rights Watch labelled the vote a “sham,” while Amnesty International accused the regime of using “repressive tactics” and arresting critics. The European Union has also declined to send observers, with commissioner Kajsa Ollongren stating, “We will not send observers to something that we don’t recognise as an election.”

 

Large areas of Myanmar remain under the control of pro-democracy guerrillas and ethnic minority forces, making nationwide voting impossible. UN special rapporteur Tom Andrews urged ASEAN not to “legitimise the junta’s charade,” warning that recognition would “move Myanmar backward and defend the indefensible.”

 

ASEAN’s refusal to endorse the polls leaves the junta increasingly isolated, with little credible oversight to support its claims of democratic progress.

 

 

-2025-10-28

On 10/28/2025 at 9:39 AM, geovalin said:

dealing a blow to the junta’s efforts to gain international legitimacy ahead of the December polls

 

GREAT news! 

 

IMO, however, there is a tiny glimmer of praise for the Tatmadaw's bombing of the huge Chinese KK Park scamming complex near Myawaddy leading to the mass evacuation of thousands of foreign scammers.

 

Photo references Facebook and BBC.