Myanmar junta detains over 90 people for ‘disrupting’ election process

The junta has arrested more than 90 civilians in recent weeks, including minors and artists, accusing them of disrupting and obstructing its general elections.Junta police accused them of defacing campaign banners, verbally abusing local election commission officials, and posting critical comments on social media in relation to a junta-produced election film that many critics claim is propaganda. According to the junta, several people were detained across multiple regions between late October and early November, including residents of Yangon, Ayeyarwady, and Karen State. Those arrested ranged in age from 15 to their late 40s and were accused of acts such as vandalising campaign materials.In late October, the junta detained five musical performers and three film directors under recently enacted election laws that criminalise criticism of the regime’s planned polls.On July 29, the junta-appointed election commission amended Myanmar’s key electoral laws to criminalise “false reports” of voting machine errors, just months before introducing a new electronic voting system. The identical clauses across three laws carry penalties of up to three years in prison or fines, raising concerns that offenders could face multiple charges for a single offense.Critics and rights groups say the laws have been introduced as part of the military’s effort to stage a tightly controlled vote, carry harsh penalties for those accused of disrupting or defaming the electoral process, further tightening restrictions on free expression.On October 27, the junta aired a short film titled “Those Who Will Gallop on History” on the military-controlled Myawaddy TV, featuring dramatised scenes vilifying opponents of the 2021 coup. The roughly 30-minute film, directed by Tin Aung Soe, featured well-known actors including Nay Toe, Nay Win, and Myint Myat. Its release drew widespread backlash, with resistance groups and the public condemning those involved and calling for a boycott of the performers.The junta also detained several prominent figures in the entertainment industry, including director Zabu Htun Thet Lwin (known as Mike Tee), director Aung Yay Chan, actor Kyaw Win Htut, and comedian Ohn Dine, also known as Zaw Myint.The military says it will hold elections starting from December 28 in three phases; Phase 1 will be held on December 28, in 102 townships, while Phase 2 will be held on January 16, 2026 in 100 townships. The third phase remains unspecified to date. A total of 5,023 candidates will contest the election—most representing six national parties, along with regional groups and 96 independents. Although the public widely views the election as a sham, more than three citizens told Myanmar Now that public concern is rising, especially regarding election related arrests. "I was thinking of not voting for any party—doing a no vote,” a man from Yangon told Myanmar Now. “But with them prosecuting election criticism, I don't know what will happen if I don’t vote. The junta is conducting this election with intimidation and coercion.”Another man in his 40s, from Naypyitaw, told Myanmar Now that he does not want to vote in the elections either, and is also concerned what could happen if he doesn’t vote in favor of the junta. “The military will do whatever it takes to win the elections,” he said. “They will do this by any means necessary."

Myanmar junta detains over 90 people for ‘disrupting’ election process

Musicians, filmmakers, and teenagers among those targeted under sweeping new election laws

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