NLD expels defectors and denounces Myanmar military ‘sham’ election on day one of polls

Mizzima

The National League for Democracy (NLD) has officially expelled nine members for participating in the military junta’s phased general election which began today. In a scathing statement released by the party’s Interim Central Committee, the NLD reiterated its refusal to recognize the polls, characterizing them as a sham designed to manufacture false political legitimacy for a regime that seized power by force.

The party provided a stark statistical contrast to justify its stance, noting that in the 2020 General Election, polling was successfully conducted in 1,117 constituencies with a nationwide voter turnout exceeding 71 percent. In that internationally recognized contest, the NLD won 82.36 percent of all constituencies and secured 920 parliamentary representatives before the military, led by Min Aung Hlaing, violated the constitution and unlawfully arrested state leaders including Aung San Suu Kyi.

The NLD statement emphasized that the military commission’s current attempt to hold an election is a blatant disregard for the will of the people expressed in 2020.

Consequently, the party has designated any members contesting or assisting in this process as individuals who have failed to comply with party regulations and decisions. The list of expelled individuals includes Daw Khin Nyo from Lawksawk Township and Sai Say Han from Langkho Township in Shan State. From the Ayeyarwady Region, the party expelled U Zaw Min of Yegyi, U Thant Zaw Win of Myaungmya, and Daw Khin Myo Thet of Maubin. In the Yangon Region, the expulsions targeted U Win Myint Than and U Thura Aung, both associated with the Yangon City Development Committee, as well as U Nay Win Htun and U Myint Oo from South Dagon Township.

This purge of party members occurs as the junta-led election faces significant security challenges and widespread international criticism. While the military administration claims to be restoring democracy through this three-phase voting process, the NLD and its supporters maintain that the exercise is invalid without the participation of the country’s most popular political force and the release of detained leaders.

The party’s decision to formally remove these nine individuals serves to draw a clear line between the remnants of the democratic mandate and those who have chosen to collaborate with the current administrative machinery. As the first phase of voting continues in only 102 townships, the NLD remains firm in its position that any cooperation with the military commission is a betrayal of the democratic progress achieved during the last decade.