In a democratic system, elections are of the utmost importance, and the voters must exercise their right to vote, which is one of their fundamental civic rights to choose and determine the future direction of the country. The Republic of the Union of Myanmar completed Phase I of the 2025 Multiparty Democratic General Election on 28 December.
In
Phase I, all can see that voters cast their votes actively and peacefully at
the polling stations in 102 townships nationwide as responsible citizens
without any pressure from 6 am until the closing of polling stations.
While
the government and the people were choosing the democratic path, terrorist
groups continued violent extremism and carried out malicious and brutal acts
with the intent to disrupt the election process, prevent eligible voters from
reaching polling stations, destroy open polling stations, and intimidate
voters. These acts included direct and indirect attacks such as firing homemade
heavy weapons and rockets from a distance, detonating sound bombs, blocking
transport vehicles used to carry voters to polling stations, issuing threat
letters, dropping bombs using drones, firing from fixed-wing, and spreading
false information.
On
the day of Phase 1 election, the terrorists committed destructive actions such
as exploding homemade sound bomb at polling station 82 at the No 11 BEHS in
Shwenyaungpin Ward in Myitkyina Township, Kachin State, firing 107mm homemade
rockets into Shwetaung and Mingala wards in Loikaw Township, Kayah State,
exploding homemade mines near KBZ bank in Ward 3 and near the Myanmar-Thailand
Friendship Bridge II in Ward 5, Myawady in Kayin State, attacking the
government office of Taninthayi Region with fixed wings, blocking ways of 17
palm oil farmers who were going to the polling station from Maran nursery of
Yuzana Palm Oil Company in Aungchantha village-tract, Khamaukgyi, attacking the
polling station 2 in Shwebo, Sagaing Region, with bomb drops, firing six
homemade rockets to the Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree College
(Sagaing), dropping bombs near the polling station 3 at the No 2 BEHS in Sawbwa
1 Ward, Tamu, attacking from the north and south of Katha Township using heavy
and small weapons, attacking inner part of Nantawkyun village, Madaya and
Aungmyaythazan townships in Mandalay Region using 107mm rockets, dropping bombs
near general administrative office, court and central prison of Myingyan,
opening fire near the polling station 64 in Zone 9 and near BEPS (Pyun) in
NyaungU. The terrorists committed attacks in 11 townships out of 102
constituencies of Phase I, starting from 27 December until the evening of 28
December. Although only five civilians were injured, voters who firmly believed
in democracy, had confidence in and supported the election management of the
government queued to cast vote in 102 townships of Phase I election starting
from 5:30 am on the morning of 28 December, and the voters who were still
within the compound of polling station from the opening hour 6 am to 4 am and
after 4 pm were also able to cast votes. By 5:30 pm, Phase I of the general
election was completed successfully in 102 townships nationwide.
During
the pre-election period of the 2025 Multiparty Democratic General Election,
terrorist groups also carried out acts intended to disrupt election-related
processes. In 41 townships, they engaged in activities such as distributing and
posting false propaganda leaflets in public places, organizing and inciting
anti-election campaigns, writing incitements, hanging posters, shouting slogans
and hurling insults to discourage voting, playing sound box, speaker urging
people not to vote, destroying, toppling, or burning public awareness
signboards and posters promoting successful elections (23 incidents), attacking
election security members (four incidents), carrying out bomb attacks (six
incidents), detonating homemade sound bombs (two incidents), bombing attacks
using homemade grenades (six incidents), rocket attacks (three incidents),
armed threats against responsible government officials and members of political
parties (three incidents), and abductions (six incidents), amounting to a total
of 54 acts of obstruction and destruction.
Even
though terrorist groups and exile media attempted through various means to
undermine the success of the election process, weaken the multiparty democratic
system, and defame it through false and misleading reports, the Government and
the people who support multiparty democracy successfully held Election Phase I
with freedom, fairness, and transparency. This was done in the presence of
international election observers, diplomats, media representatives, and voters
who personally cast their votes.
Therefore,
for the upcoming Phase II and Phase III, the government and officials of
security and administration must make greater efforts to ensure that voters’
rights are fully protected to cast their votes safely. Responsible citizens who
welcome and support democracy, and who desire nationwide stability, peace, and
development, are urged to cooperate with the relevant authorities by reporting
any information or suspicious activities related to terrorist movements to
continue leading towards the democratic path through simple and peaceful means.
MNA/KTZH
#TheGlobalNewLightOfMyanmar
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