CNI News
1 October 2025
The Karen National Union (KNU) and the Arakan Army (AA) have been charged on the grounds that they are attempting to disrupt and undermine the upcoming election. Analysts in both political and military circles are debating whether such legal actions will have any real effect.
On August 30, 11 KNU leaders including Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, Padoh Saw Se Gay, and Padoh Ta Doh Moo were charged at Hpa-an Township Police Station on September 1 for allegedly making speeches and statements aimed at disrupting the election process.
Later, on September 9, Saw Saw Poe Lay Di Win was also charged at Paing Kyone Township Police Station in Hpa-an District.
In addition, on August 27, when voter education activities and voting rehearsals were being conducted at a monastery in Yinsal Village, Laymyethnar Township, Ayeyarwady Region, AA and PDF (still under investigation) allegedly attacked with a dropped bomb. On September 4, charges were filed at Ai Thapyoo Township Police Station.
AA Commander-in-Chief Major General Tun Myat Naing
According to Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs analyst, these legal actions against KNU and AA are intended to demonstrate that the government claims full sovereignty over the whole country, but in reality, such actions are ineffective.
“The way they act shows they want to claim authority over the entire country. Back when martial law was declared, they even included areas like Wa region and Mong La, where they hadn’t had control for many years. They still included them in the announcement. What they are showing is that only they hold sovereignty over the entire country. This way, other countries will also see them as the de facto government. In reality, the ruling authority is the military commission, so they are just following that approach, showing that only they hold power.”, she said.
Regarding these charges, KNU spokesperson Padoh Saw Taw Nee told the BBC that since KNU is based in its own territory, such lawsuits will not have any effect.
Similarly, AA spokesperson U Khine Thukha denied that the group had bombed the monastery where voting rehearsals were being carried out, stating it was completely untrue.
Political analyst Dr. Aung Myo told CNI News that, given Myanmar’s current political situation, the government cannot actually enforce these lawsuits against armed groups right now. However, after the election, there could be legal proceedings in accordance with the law.
Former KNU leaders with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing
He added that such cases would only be resolved if the government granted a general amnesty:
“KNU and AA leaders are now accused of criminal offenses. In particular, those leaders will one day have to face these charges in accordance with the law. For now, no action can really be taken against them. But in the future, their chances of success are already weakened. The question is whether they will move forward without resolving this issue or not. For ethnic armed groups and insurgents, this will remain an unresolved case if political negotiations are to happen in the future. Just like during U Nu’s time, only a general amnesty will solve the matter. For them, this is quite a disadvantageous position. On the other hand, the government is able to tackle it”he said.
Similarly, on August 31, 17 members of the Chinland Government, including U Par Htan, were charged at Hakha Township Police Station for allegedly making speeches and statements to disrupt the election process in Thantlang Township, Chin State.
According to reports, KNU, AA, and the opposition-aligned Chinland Government have each been charged under Section 23(a) of the Law on the Protection of Public Elections, which criminalizes disrupting or obstructing multi-party democratic elections.
