CNI News
2 Dec 2022
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has been urged not to recognize the elections held by the State Administration Council, Chairman Khun Myint Tun of the Pa-O National Federal Council told the CNI.
Only when the ASEAN does not recognize the elections, can the association take the path it wants to and the SAC does not have the right to hold elections under the 2008 constitution, he added.
Khun Myint Tun told the CNI, "The ASEAN needs to negotiate with the SAC based on their consensus and to clearly express their view that they will not recognize the 2023 elections. Only then, will the ASEAN be able to take the path it wants to. The junta does not have the right to hold the 2023 elections because it seized power from a civilian government. As the junta is holding elections to take its own path, the international community must not recognize the elections. The ASEAN must express its views clearly. Only then, will we be able to resolve the crisis. Otherwise, we will not escape from the vicious circle. The ASEAN must implement their views firmly and comprehensively."
Voters' list for the 2020 generaL election are announced. (Anadolu Agency)
ASEAN Special Envoy Prak Sokhonn is planning to make his third visit to Myanmar soon.
Some political observers said that disrupting junta elections without the capability to topple it will lead to aggravating the political crisis because there is no other exit for it.
Spokesperson Col Saw Kyaw Nyunt of the Peace Process Steering Team told the CNI that he would advise the ASEAN special envoy to help overcome the political crisis if he had the chance to meet with the envoy.
He told the CNI, "We will discuss how the international community, especially the ASEAN, can help us to hold inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders to resolve political issues through political means and to overcome the political crisis we have been enduring for almost two years.
ASEAN Special Envoy Prak Sokhonn meets Srn Gen Min Aung Hlaing.
The ASEAN should discuss the issues that are accepted by both sides, Spokesperson Khun Tun Shwe of the Pa-O National Organization told the CNI.
He told the CNI, "The ASEAN should discuss with both sides. If it discusses with only one side, it will not be able to resolve the crisis. If it can create a conducive environment for discussions that can be accepted by both sides, it would be beneficial for all. When the ASEAN chairman visited Myanmar, I advised him to resolve the crisis on equal terms peacefully and said that one side views elections positively while the other side views them negatively."
The SAC chairman announced that elections would be held in August, 2023 and political power would be transferred to the winning party.
During his visit to Myanmar in July, 2022, the ASEAN special envoy met with the SAC chairman, the foreign minister, the PPST and some political parties.
