CNI News
29 August 2025
Revolutionary forces’ opposition to the election raises the question of whether it amounts to supporting the military’s current rule, said Colonel Khun Okkar, Chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S), to CNI News.
At present, the upcoming election to be organized by the State Security and Peace Commission has already been rejected by the KIA, KNU, AA, KNPP, and other revolutionary organizations. Similarly, the NUG has urged resistance to it.
Therefore, Colonel Khun Okkar of the PNLO (NCA/S) stated that the groups opposing the election are indirectly endorsing the current governance of the Myanmar military.
“Groups that say they will sabotage the election are, in an indirect way, supporting the current situation. If you say you will sabotage the election, then the question arises whether you are endorsing the present situation. What they say is their idea. We neither object nor support it. But if we look back at Myanmar’s 1960 election, no official organization has ever conducted it in a truly legitimate way. Everyone always claimed it was in some way illegitimate. The same goes for the 2010, 2015, and 2020 elections. Even though the respective governments claimed they were valid, they were all conducted under the 2008 Constitution. So if one argues that elections under the 2008 Constitution are illegitimate, then one must also object to the 1990 election onwards. Another point is that people know elections are not the solution. But since no one can provide an alternative solution, things are continuing in the current pattern. So, when you oppose the election, it raises the question whether you are supporting the continuation of the current system.” he said.
KNU Chairman Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win
The Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced that the first phase of the election will be held on December 28, 2025, across 102 townships.
However, the Karen National Union (KNU) issued a statement on August 26, saying the election is “an event to select candidates and parties that will benefit the military” and urged Karen armed groups, Karen political forces, Karen parties, and the general public to oppose it through nonviolent means.
Similarly, the Special Attack Force of the Naga Region PDF announced on August 27 that it would absolutely not accept elections in the Naga region and would not guarantee safety during the election period.
According to U Thein Tun Oo, Executive Director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, when the military governs the country, revolutionary groups have had a good reason to headline, which makes them more satisfied with the current condition.
Some NUG leaders
“ The election path is something that must inevitably be taken. But now, some armed groups are choosing another path instead of elections. So we must ask them—what kind of democracy do they want, when they reject the election route? They may have various expectations. At this time, since the military is ruling, they can claim they are resisting dictatorship. In fact, they have had a good reason to headline. Because of that, they seem to become more comfortable with the current situation.” he said.
On July 29, 2025, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing promulgated the Law on the Prevention of Election Obstruction, Disruption, and Sabotage. Under this law, if anyone obstructs or disrupts elections resulting in deaths, they can be punished with a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment up to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Vice Senior General Soe Win stated on August 26, 2025, that since there might be groups attempting to sabotage elections, people should remember that democracy can only emerge if elections are successfully held.
