Resistance forces vow to oppose junta’s election in line with revolutionary commitments

The junta, which intends to hold the upcoming election in three phases, also plans to conduct voting in nine townships in Kachin State, including territores under the control of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

Phase 1 of the election, scheduled for December 28, will cover Myitkyina, Tanai (Danai), Monghnyin, Putao, Naungmon and Khaunglanhpu townships. Phase 2 will include Machanbaw, Waingmaw and Mogaung, according to the junta’s Union Election Commission (UEC) announcement on October 28.

This indicates that the junta aims to hold elections in half of Kachin State’s 18 townships. Khaunglanhpu and Waingmaw are areas where the KIA controls large swathes of territory and where major battles have recently occurred.

An officer from the Kachin People’s Defence Force (Kachin PDF), based in Hpakant Township, said that resistance forces that have taken up arms to overthrow the military dictatorship will also oppose any elections conducted by the junta.

“All resistance forces will move forward in line with the revolutionary path. The junta will try to gain legitimacy by staging a sham election and presenting itself as a government, and that will lead to major problems. They’re looking for a political way out and trying to prolong their grip on power as much as they can. They’re using local administrators and election candidates as pawns to achieve that goal. On our side, we will continue doing everything necessary to oppose the junta,” he told KNG.

There is also speculation among resistance fighters that holding elections in areas controlled by the KIA and other resistance forces is unlikely.