Myanmar's Election Plan Amid Ongoing Conflict

Myanmar is planning to hold its third round of elections on January 25. This comes after the first two rounds, which are scheduled for December 28 and January 11. These elections will cover a total of 202 townships out of 330. The third phase will focus on 63 townships, as announced by the ruling junta through the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper. The exact dates for counting votes and announcing results are still unknown. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has admitted that the elections won't be held nationwide due to ongoing conflicts. The military is currently fighting against armed resistance groups that have grown stronger since the 2021 coup.Experts believe that the military's shift from warfare to elections is a challenge. They aim to create a stable government, but the odds are against them. Despite this, the junta claims that the elections have strong public support. The situation in Myanmar is complex. The military is trying to gain legitimacy through elections while facing significant opposition. The outcome of these elections remains uncertain, and the impact on the country's future is hard to predict.