Myanmar’s junta asks armed opposition groups to join polls

ISTANBUL

Myanmar's military junta on Thursday invited armed opposition groups to abandon violence and participate in upcoming general elections.

The State Administration Council, as the junta is officially known, announced that a voter list compilation would begin on Oct. 1, urging "all ethnic armed organizations, terrorist groups and PDF (People’s Defense Force) groups" to engage in dialogue and resolve political issues through "party politics or the electoral process."

The junta said its aim was to achieve "lasting peace and development" and ultimately transfer power to an elected government.

However, the National Unity Government (NUG), a shadow administration formed by ousted lawmakers and parliamentarians in the wake of the February 2021 military coup, dismissed the offer as "not worth considering."

Similarly, the Bamar People's Liberation Army (BPLA), an ethnic armed organization, expressed disinterest in the proposal.

Since the 2021 coup, Myanmar has been embroiled in widespread conflict, with the junta facing significant resistance from ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces including the PDF, the NUG's armed wing.