Myanmar junta arrests over 200 people under election protection law

Mizzima

The Myanmar military junta has arrested and prosecuted 229 individuals over the past four months under a recently enacted law designed to protect its upcoming general election, according to Lieutenant General Tun Tun Naung, the junta’s Minister of Home Affairs. 

Speaking at a central committee meeting on 16 December, the general confirmed that 140 legal cases have been filed across the country, involving 201 men and 28 women.

The arrests were made under the “Law on the Protection of Multiparty Democratic General Elections from Obstruction, Disruption, and Destruction,” which was enacted on 29 July. Lt. Gen. Tun Tun Naung stated that authorities must continue to take “effective action” against anyone accused of incitement or propaganda that could threaten the security of the polls.