Whichever party wins Myanmar election, the military will have influence in parliament

Regardless of which party wins the national election in Myanmar, military personnel will play an important role in parliament, the country’s army chief Min Aung Hlaing has announced. In the meantime, the junta government has refused to recognize the area controlled by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army as a ‘special region’. This has again sparked unrest in Shan State. As the election day approaches in Myanmar, the repression of the junta forces is increasing. The death toll from the junta’s horrific airstrikes on the town of Maungchi in Kayah State this week is gradually increasing. On Tuesday (August 19) morning, the junta forces also bombed Maungchi from warplanes. This does not end here, a ceasefire came into effect between the junta forces and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) at the beginning of this year, mediated by China. The condition was that the MNDAA group would leave Lashio and the surrounding areas in northern Shan State, and the junta would stop airstrikes and grant the region autonomous status. After that, the rebels returned Lashio in April, but the junta government did not keep even half of its promise. The MNDAA alleged that the army was repeatedly breaking the ceasefire and launching attacks. Then, the two sides met again this month for talks. At the meeting, the junta government refused to recognize the MNDAA-controlled area as ‘Special Region 1’. Various media outlets reported that the ceasefire agreement had also collapsed due to the lack of an agreement. Despite all this, Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing is campaigning to garner support across the country. He recently met with army members, their families and local businessmen during his visit to Magway. During this time, he urged everyone to exercise their right to vote. In addition, he strongly criticized Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the NLD, which was ousted from power in 2021. The junta chief also said that even if the winning party comes to power, military appointees will play an important role in parliament. He announced that the army will also fulfill the responsibility of protecting the constitution.