Myanmar's military government has announced a major amnesty for over 6,100 prisoners to mark the 78th anniversary of Independence Day, amid relatives waiting outside Insein Prison. Meanwhile, early election results reveal that the USDP party, representing the military, has won nearly all lower house seats amid accusations that the election is a sham.
The National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) of Myanmar stated that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, leader of the military government, signed a pardon for 6,134 Myanmar prisoners to celebrate the 78th anniversary of independence from British colonial rule, citing humanitarian reasons and mercy.
Additionally, 52 foreign prisoners were ordered released and immediately deported. This amnesty operation occurs while the country remains embroiled in a civil war since the February 2021 coup d'état.
Many people gathered outside Insein Prison in Yangon to await their family members’ release, holding sheets with prisoners’ names, hoping their relatives, especially those arrested on political grounds over the past five years, would be freed today.
The military government also revealed first-phase election results from the three-phase process that began last week. State media reported that the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), seen as the military’s nominee, took a commanding lead by winning 87 out of 96 announced lower house seats, about 90%, while ethnic parties secured only 9 seats.
Voter turnout was reported by the government to be over 50%, a decline compared to the 2020 election when turnout reached 70%.
Western diplomats and human rights activists criticized the election as a "staged event" designed to legitimize military rule under martial law, noting that the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi, which won a landslide in 2020, has been dissolved, and Suu Kyi remains detained since the coup. The government reported voter turnout at over 50%, down from 70% in 2020.
Phases two and three of the elections are scheduled for 11 and 25 January respectively, amid close observation as to whether more high-level politicians will be released in the upcoming amnesty, following partial release of Aung San Suu Kyi's aides in November.
/AFP