THE diplomatic briefing on the development of Myanmar was held at Studio A of MRTV on Pyay Road of Yangon yesterday.
Firstly,
Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn, Deputy Minister U Kyaw Myo Htut and other
officials warmly greeted the ambassadors and diplomats.
During
the press briefing, Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn clarified the situation in
three sections as follows:
As
the first part, why did the Tatmadaw take all the responsibilities of the
State? As you all know, there were serious irregularities of voter lists and
voting frauds in the Multiparty Democracy General Election held on 8 November
2020 under the NLD government term. According to the official statements of the
Union Election Commission regarding the findings on voter lists, there were
more than 11,305,390 suspected voting irregularities, and since right after the
election, Tatmadaw has released the findings 30 times, statements on its
positions for two times before the election and four times after the election.
During the press conferences of Tatmadaw, these cases were clarified in the
presence of local/foreign media outlets with well-founded proof and evidence.
The
Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services said there should be a free and fair
election and simple political affairs many times before the election. However,
as you are all aware, Tatmadaw requested not to convene the sessions of the 3rd
Hluttaw until the processes of vote-rigging cases were solved as there were
some disputes regarding free, fair and transparent elections in three periods
of the election: before the election, on the election day and after the
election. But they failed to do so. Tatmadaw called for Union Election
Commission to solve a large number of discrepancies in voter lists as the first
step. But, the UEC rejected the proposal and tabled the motion to hold a
special session of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw in accord with the law through the
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw. They also refused it. Tatmadaw requested the government,
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and UEC to address the current situation of the country.
When all the proposals were rejected, Tatmadaw proposed the convening of the
meeting of the National Defence and Security Council. But they did not solve
the case. Without addressing the requests and with incorrect election results
through vote-rigging, they tried to convene the Hluttaw and form the government
which can be recognized as they violated Section 40, sub-section (C) and
Section 417 of the State Constitution 2008 and their actions were tantamount to
the attempt to take the sovereign of the Union by wrongful forcible means.
Therefore, Tatmadaw has undertaken the State responsibilities according to the
stipulations of the State of Emergency of the 2008 Constitution.
But,
the local and foreign journalists and some foreign countries, which do not
follow the media ethics and international relations, spread accusations that
Tatmadaw staged a coup d'état. But,
Tatmadaw only maintains the power of the State under the Constitution and it is
not seizing the power. A free and fair multiparty democracy general election
will be held accordingly after accomplishing the provisions of the State of
Emergency. This was repeatedly explained many times before and is now pointed
out again as the first point of this briefing.
For
the second section, I would explain the work plans and objectives being
implemented during the term of the State Administration Council.
The
aspiration and hope of the entire Myanmar people are to establish a genuine and
disciplined multiparty democratic system. Tatmadaw has been building the system
based on the multiparty democratic system since 1988. In practising the
multiparty democratic system, free and fair elections are the "lifeblood
of these systems". The basic requirement for a free and fair election is
stability and the rule of law. Stability means political stability, safety and
economic stability. For the rule of law, it needs to follow the existing laws
and develop a disciplined practice. In order to implement these processes, the
State Administration Council has adopted the Five Point Road Map and Nine
Objectives for political, economic and social affairs.
The
Five-Point Road Map is as follows:
1.
The Union Election Commission will be reconstituted and its mandated tasks,
including the scrutiny of voter lists, shall be implemented under the law.
2.
Effective measures will be taken with added momentum to prevent and manage the
COVID-19 pandemic.
3.
Actions will be taken to ensure the speedy recovery of businesses from the
impact ofCOVID-19.
4.
Emphasis will be placed on achieving enduring peace for the entire nation in
line with the agreements set out in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.
5.
Upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair
multiparty democratic elections will be held in line with the 2008 Constitution,
and further work will be under taken to hand over State duties to the winning
party according to democratic standards.
To
implement these procedures effectively and bring prosperity for the country and
people, the State Administration Council formed the Provisional Government of
the Republic of the Union of Myanmar after its six-month performance, and the
SAC Chairman took over the post of Prime Minister of the State and accelerated
the momentum of all procedures.
Thirdly,
I would like to present some aspects of the current political, economic and
social developments.
Being
the Provisional Government of Myanmar, it has been undertaking the State duties
under the Constitution 2008 and will hold the election under the law at the end
of the state of emergency. And it will hand over the power to the government
emerged in line with the election results. On the other hand, a government must
work for the socio-economic development of its people, including the
development of the country. Therefore, if we look at the FivePoint Road Map and
Nine Objectives of the SAC, all conform with the current situation of the
country.
The
first political objective of the SAC is our foreign policy. We practise
independent, active and non-aligned foreign policy. We uphold the principle -
peaceful coexistence among the nations Being an ASEAN member country, we carry
out the measures for regional peace and development keeping in line with the
attitudes and objectives of ASEAN Similarly, we cooperate with the
international countries in the works for global peace tranquility and
sustainable development based on justice, equality and fair international laws.
There
are also interferenc es in the internal affairs of sovereign states on the
pretext of democracy and human rights Every independent country has its own
sovereignty. What I do want to say is that there is equal opportunity
regardless of large or small countries or powerful or not powerful countries.
The
Head of the State, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services attended the ASEAN
Summit in April and clarified the reasons for taking State power by Tatmadaw,
the occurrence of riots, future work plans and objectives of the State
Administration Council.
He
also said he will give careful consideration to constructive suggestions made
by ASEAN leaders if they facilitate the implementation of a Five-Point Road Map
of the government, benefit the country, and are based on the ASEAN Charter,
ASEAN Way. ASEAN Spirit. Myanmar has agreed on the appointment of the ASEAN
Special Enway to Myanmar. We can see crystal clearly the current practical
implementations.
I
also want to brief the country's COVID-19 preventive measures. The deputy
minister of the Ministry of Health will also present the matter in detail Although
our country faced the first and second small waves, it had huge impacts during
the third wave like other global countries. However, our government conducted
the COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment activities effectively and we
could control the disease to a certain extent. The government conducted
COVID-19 tests, imposed Stay-at-Home orders and purchased the vaccines not only
from India since the previous government term but the vaccines from Russia and
China as well for the vaccination programmes in Myanmar. In addition to the
purchased vaccines, China, India, Cambodia and Thailand donated the vaccines
and medical supplies like good friends. Moreover, the donations of people and
organizations, par ticipation of volunteers and individuals' adherence to
health rules are very supportive for the COVID-19 prevention processes. The
government appreciates our partner countries, local/foreign organizations and
people for participating in prevention activities in many and various ways.
Although there might be still challenges and hardships, we can overcome any
obstacles or difficulties with the supervision of the authorities and public
par ticipation based on our national characteristics of our citizens such as
generosity, charity and helpfulness, in other words, the strength of internal
unity.
During
the COVID-19 pandemic, the repatriation of Myanmar citizens stranded in foreign
countries and facing difficulties due to loss of jobs has been carried out. A
total of 1,086 Myanmar citizens from Malaysia and 70 from India
were respectively repatriated back to Myanmar by the Navy vessels before the
third wave of COVID-19. During the third wave period, a total of 74,955 has
also returned from China, Laos and Thailand, respectively, to date. The Prime
Minister of the Provisional Government of Myanmar said earlier that our
citizens should be protected under the shade of the Government and will assist
them where necessary. The Government will further accept those who are in
various countries and willing to return home. An earnest request is placed for
the countries concerned to render necessary assistance in this regard.
I
would also like to explain the work being done to achieve lasting peace in the
whole country. Tatmadaw fully recognizes that the process for enduring peace is
absolutely imperative. Therefore, in order to carry out the peace process
successfully with the armed ethnic groups, Tatmadaw has stopped its military
activities since 21 December 2018.
On
the other hand, I would like to inform you that the Government is taking
effective action against illegal CRPH and NUG-affiliated terrorist
organizations who are being against the State without complying with the
existing law. NUG declared a state of emergency on 7 September, intending to
destabilize the tranquillity of the State and the socio-economic life of the
people. NUG's statement tends to make the declaration of the war against the
Government. When the EAOs were officially asked whether NUG terrorist groups
were accepted in their respective areas, the majority of EAOS formally replied
that there were no NUG terrorist groups in their territories. Questions should
be raised whether NUG terrorist groups are whereabouts.
We
are inviting the diplomats and representatives of foreign missions to attend
this clarification briefing for the facts and information about current
developments and endeavours in Myanmar so as to welcome productive
collaboration from the international community.
We
are confident you will be able to discern whether the right or wrong, the
justice and injustice, the cause and the effect and the good and the bad upon
the situations happening in Myanmar, based on what you have heard and seen.
Then,
UEC member U Khin Maung Oo clarified the attempts of the previous government
and UEC conducted in advance in the pre-election period of the 2020 General
Election.
He
said that the NLD party hard cores, supporters and partisan people were
appointed for election sub-commissions at various levels and there was bias to
the NLD throughout the electoral process.
NLD
tried to take control of essential ministries as part of planning to work on
voter list because the NLD moved the General Administration Department from
Ministry of Home Affairs to the Ministry of Union Government Office at Union
Level and established new Immigration and Human Resources ministries in States
and Regions except in Shan and Rakhine after 2018 by-election.
NLD
tried to take control of essential ministries as part of planning to work on
voter list because the NLD moved the General Administration Department from
Ministry of Home Affairs to the Ministry of Union Government Office at Union
Level and established new Immigration and Human Resources ministries in States
and Regions except in Shan and Rakhine after 2018 by-election.
During
the voter lists data collection process, NLD-appointed ward/village-tract
administrators closely worked together with NLD victory teams in some places.
That is why there was a massive inclusion of people who do not have any
Citizenship Scrutiny Card and of the people who were included in the voter list
twice or thrice although they have the same CSCs because there was no proper
check whether these people have any CSC or whether they are eligible to be in
voter list or not according to the respective Hluttaw Election Laws.
The
notification of 5th amendments of respective Hluttaw election regulations was
issued on 3 October 2019 and, of the 6th amendments was issued on 5 June 2020
by former UEC. It was found that former UEC chairman and commissioners took
guidance by former president and also by former State Counsellor in order to
favour the NLD in the election.
Given
the reason for errors in the voter list after the first time display, on 4
August 2020, under the directives of the Union Government Office, a "Support
Group" on voting lists was formed to ensure the voter list was complete
and correct. The group was led by State/ Region Chief Ministers and Immigration
minister representatives from Commission, General Adminis tration Department
and Immigra tion Department were included By misusing the authority of that
group. NLDparty victory teams at all levels interfered and gave pressure on the
voter list, therefore the respective election sub-commissions could not perform
well to get the accurate voter list and the list was more bloated.
The
former UEC released some restrictions for the people who do not have CSC and
issued the instruction that voters who did not have a citizenship scrutiny card
were allowed to cast their ballots at the polling stations with other
identification. That is why people who were not identified properly yet and who
did not have any CSCs were allowed to cast the votes and the people with the
same CSC numbers were duplicated twice or more than three times in the voter
list, and it was against the respective Hluttaw election laws Section 59.
The
former UEC also instructed to distribute the voter slips, and these slips were
bloated were held unauthorized persons and the people who only brought were
allowed to vote. And it caused unlawful voting against laws and regulations.
Although
the criteria for voters who can cust the advance votes and the procedures to be
taken by election sub-commis. sions were prescribed in the laws and
regulations, the former UEC issued the instruction to allow those aged 60 and
above to cast advance voles. While collecting the ballot papers of those aged
60 and above during the official advance voting period in the 2020 general
election, members of the NLD campaign team were presented together with the
respective teams when they visited the voters' houses to collect the advance
votes in some places.
On
6 November 2020, just two days prior to Election Day, the former UEC announced
that the ballot papers which were stamped with only tick-sign without UEC logo
are valid and it caused the complication in the counting process at polling
stations.
During
the printing of ballot papers for the 2020 elections, 139,331,120 ballots in
total were printed. The printing of ballots was done eight times, including up
to the day just before the elections (7 November 2020).
As
there was less possibility for NLD to win the election in these townships, the
former UEC announced the postponement of elections in 9 townships in Rakhine
and 6 townships in Shan, altogether 15 in total just before the election due to
security concerns. Although some political parties pointed out that the
security conditions in Paletwa township was worse but the election had not been
cancelled there, the former UEC defended its decision and favoured the NLD by
misusing its power.
During
the broadcast campaign period of political parties on state media, 85 parties submitted requests to UEC and among them, the
manuscripts by 64 parties including Union Solidarity and Development Party were
edited and revised. Some parties withdrew their requests and cancelled their
broadcasting schedule. But it was found that the NLD and 20 other parties were
allowed to broadcast their manuscripts without editing.
When
the former UEC published the notifications on the accreditation procedures for
domestic and international observers, 4 areas of observation were cut off. 13
areas were allowed to observe in the 2015 General Election and only 9 areas
were allowed to observe in the 2020 General Election and it was found that the
last election had less transparency.
Regarding
the election of fences in the 2020 General Election according to the statistics
by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 546 alleged election offences were presented
to the police, 336 cases were prosecuted, 192 were closed and there were 18
ongoing cases. The number of cases was higher than before.
Regarding
the malpractices in the 2020 General Election, 287 electoral complaints were submitted
to former UEC and 265 cases were objecting NLD party. There were only 29
electoral complaints in the 2010 General Election and 45 cases in the 2015
General Elections and the number of complaints in the 2020 General Election is
relatively high.
As
defined by the first point in the Five-Point Road Map of the State
Administration Council, the current Union Election Commission inspected in
detail the voter lists and voting processes of 315 townships where multiparty
elections were held on 8th November 2021. According to former UEC, there were
38,271,447 eligible voters and 39,963 polling stations in these 315 townships.
According to the statistics of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and
Population as of November 2020, there were 31,775,330 eligible voters, that is,
citizens over 18 years of age. The difference in this regard is therefore
6,496,117 voters.
In
the voter list, people who do not have any Citizenship Scrutiny Cards were
included, and some were included twice and more than three times although they
hold the same CSCs in the same townships. There were also people duplicate in
the voter list based on cross-checks among the townships within the same State/
Region, cross-checks among the different States/Regions. There were also people
of age 100 years and above and also of age under 18 years. In total, there are
11,305,390 names in the voter lists that are potentially fraudulent. This
represents 29.54% of the total voter lists provided by the former Union
Election Commission.
He
then presented the results from the field investigations of Pyithu Hluttaw
ballot papers used during the 2020 General Election.
It
found that 43,004,382 ballot papers had been issued to polling stations, and
the actual number of used ballot papers was 27,098,058. Therefore, in
principle, 15,906,324 unused ballot papers should remain. However, we found
only 14,920,783 ballot papers remaining. We found that this difference is
caused by the combination of 1,424,391 missing ballot papers, and 438,850
excess ballot papers.
According
to the overall review and analysis on the entire electoral process before,
during and after the election which also includes findings on inspections of
voter lists and ballot papers and field investigations in respective States and
Regions, it is found that the 2020 General Election was not held in a free and
fair manner. It was also discovered that the National League for Democracy
(NLD) misused its government authority and administrative power, as well as the
COVID-19 rules and regulations in order to unlawfully get the state power.
Equally, it was also inspected that the former Union Election Commission has
been misused its mandate and violated existing laws and regulations.
Subsequently, the current Union Election Commission has announced the annulment
of the results of the 2020 General Election.
Taking
the weaknesses from the 2020 General Election into consideration, the current
Union Election Commission is making a thorough review of the respective Hluttaw
Election Laws and regulations, and the Political Parties Registration Law and
regulations. And we are conducting the audit on Funding, money and property of
93 registered political parties under the Political Parties Registration Law
and regulations. The Union Election Commission will further consult with
political parties on an appropriate proportional representation system for
Myanmar.
The
current Union Election Commission is discharging its duties as mandated by the
FivePoint Road Map of the State Administration Council and devoting its
attention to concluding the remaining tasks. The Union Election Commission will
fulfil its obligation to hold truly free and fair multiparty democratic general
elections in line with the 2008 Constitution, which is scheduled upon
completion of the tasks as per the provisions of the State of Emergency, as
also stated in the Five-Point Road Map.
After
that, Deputy Minister Major-General Soe Tint Naing reported on how the
terrorist organizations CRPH, NUG, and its PDF groups who are all of a piece
committed acts of terrorism interconnectedly.
Certain
terrorist members namely Zaw Wai Soe, Yi Mon, Myo Yan Naung Thein and Zin Mar
Aung from CRPH and NUG incited their PDFs to carry out terrorist attacks,
connecting young people, their so-called G-Zs, with EAOs for terrorist
training, ter rorist financing: provision of ammunition; outreach programs of
support and encouragement. The video clips entail how they campaigned to
disrupt administrative machinery, overthrow the government and intimidate
innocent people to support them. There are rumours that these videos were
fabricated by some media outlets, and had been technically verified.
Secondly,
I presented the casualties resulting from the acts of terrorism and destruction
committed by CRPH, NUG, and PDFs under various names. During the period from
February to August 2021, there were 406 school bombings/arson attacks 386 arson
attacks on government offices/ departments; 29 attacks on private banks; 4 bank
robberies: 23 attacks on public banks; 9 arson attacks on markets; 172
explosions and arson attacks on bridges and roads; 216 arson attacks on
residential places and offices; 8 bomb blasts/arson attacks on supermarkets; 18
attacks on factories and workshops; 28 attacks on private buildings; 235
bombings/ arson attacks on police stations; 35 destructive acts against the
State's property, 41 destructive acts against the private property, 19
bombings/arson attacks on hospitals/health care centres; 2,390 explosions of
landmines at communal spaces in urban areas. Those bombings/ arson attacks left
69 people killed and 280 others injured. Terrorist attacks, including bombings,
have claimed the lives and property of innocent people, and some of the
incidents can be viewed in PowerPoint. In addition, 102 administrators of
township, ward and village a and 117 were wounded in their assassination
attempts. 369 people were killed and 446 others wounded for allegedly being in formants. 253 people were wounded for their
support of the other political parties. 140 Government employees and security
forces were killed and 469 wounded. In total, 933 were killed and 1,312 injured
in the above-mentioned terrorist attacks. Five monks were brutally murdered,
one of them was burnt to death during the destructive acts against Buddhist
monasteries and religious buildings. There were 9 murder cases against children
in which even the eight-month-olds were brutally killed. There were also
reports of bombings/burning of schools and the killing of five teachers with
the intent to deprive school-age children of access to education.
Thirdly,
it turns out that all of those who led the campaigns such as fundraising and
terrorist financing as well as terrorist attacks by CRPH, NUG and PDFs are none
other than the members of the NLD. There have been 32 cases of terrorism filed
under the Counter-Terrorism Law, led by the members of the NLD. According to
the confession of the arrested terrorist members, there have been links between
these atrocious terrorist acts and NLD members.
Fourthly,
he briefed them on counter-terrorism, public safety and the rule of law.
Multiple
terrorist attacks erupted in Myanmar in October 2016 with ARSA terrorists
attacking security forces and civilians in northern Rakhine State. On 30 August
2017, ARSA launched synchronized attacks on more than 30 police outposts on the
border in Rakhine State. Afterwards, the militant group was declared to be an
extremist terrorist group, with the rule of law and security maintained under
the laws. Security forces are constantly reminded to comply with existing laws,
procedures, and codes of conduct in controlling today's riots and violence. Any
violations of the procedures and codes of conduct by security forces are being
investigated and necessary action is being taken.
Fifthly,
I touched upon accountability. From February 2021 until today, the authorities
took such steps as arrests of rioters and violent protestors, detention on
remand and prosecution under the law. Considering the situation of the COVID-19
pandemic as well as the social and psychosocial well-being of its citizens, the
State Administration Council dismissed the pending cases and issued a
proclamation releasing 4,651 prisoners. Some journalists from certain media
outlets were involved in the arrests and prosecution. The penalties against
these journalists are not based on freedom of the press and expression, but on
their intent to harm the interests of the country, breach of existing laws and
incitement to violent extremism. In addition, the cases filed under 505 (A) of
the Penal Code were dismissed according to the law. Education, Health and other
departmental staff and civilians are being communicated on daily basis and
granted clemency.
Then,
Deputy Minister Dr Aye Tun explained the regions/ states with the highest
infection rate and death rate.
He
also said the number of total testing in the third wave is 1,139,466 up to now
and the dailly average number of testing is 11,282.
During
the long holidays, the laboratory testing is increased especially more focusing
on the selected 65 high transmission Townships. The test positivity rate is
also decreased up to more than 40 in mid-July to 9% currently.
Due
to a reduction in test positivity rate and confirmed cases, the number of
COVID-19 cases is also reduced in the public hospitals and treatment centres so
that increased health care for non-COVID-19 related diseases are also re-kinded
and scaled up.
About
50,000 people from IDP camps in Rakhine state including Bengalis and more than
1,000 people from NCA signatory EAOs are starting to get vaccinations and
extensions of these vaccination programmes are ongoing.
From
27.1.2021 to 49.2021, the number of people who are fully vaccinated is more
than 2.6 million, the number of people who get their first-time vaccination is
more than 2.1 million and the total number of people who get vaccinated is more
than 48 milSon. Therefore, the total doses of vaccine delivered are more than 75
million and the programme is ongoing.
For
the target population of 18 years old and above, the total doses targeted for
this group is 68 million and 7.5 million doses are delivered so that 11 of the
doses for that particular targeted group has been delivered. Therefore, 7% of
the total country population had been already vaccinated.
Fron
September to Decem ber 2021, the COVID-19 vaccination programme will target 12
million people and ongoing vac cinations will be done. Addition al priority
groups will be added such as disabled persons, Ethnic Armed Organization (EAO)
per sons,
people with chronic diseases, people in the age group of 40 to 64 years ok.
These additional groups will get phase by phase vaccinations.
He
finally said the government of Myanmar in cooperation and collaboration with
the people of Myanmar is implementing the COVID-19 prevention, controland
treatment as well as COVID-19 vaccinations with added momentum so that the
third wave of COVID-19 in Myanmar is obviously reduced and the country will
successfully win over the third wave of COVID-19 very soon.
Then,
UEC member U Khin Maung Oo and officials explained the representatives from
foreign embassies about the press records electoral documents, find ines on
voter lists of UEC. photo records of killed innocent people by the terrorists.
The diplomats to the press very carefully paid attention to the efforts of the
government in conducting rapid COVID-19 prevention, control and vaccination
programmes, the dramatic decline in the infection rate, violence and murder
cases of CRPH, NUG and PDFs.
As
the international community becomes more aware of the real situations of
Myanmar it can strengthen the bilateral relations with Myanmar.
MNA
#TheGlobalNewLightofMyanmar
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