408 Airstrikes During Myanmar Election Marked by Military's Landslide Victory...170 Civilians Killed

EPA Yonhap News

During Myanmar's general election, which ended in a landslide victory for the military-backed party, more than 400 airstrikes were carried out by the military regime, resulting in the deaths of 170 civilians.

According to AFP on January 31 (local time), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) confirmed that 170 civilians were killed in airstrikes by the military regime during the election period, from December 28 of last year to January 25 of this year.

Additionally, on January 22, three days before the final third round of voting, the military regime conducted airstrikes on a densely populated area in northern Kachin State, where ethnic minorities and pro-democracy rebel forces are strong. At that time, 50 civilians were killed. The military carried out a total of 408 airstrikes during the election period.

OHCHR expressed concern that the actual civilian death toll may be higher than 170, noting that some areas experienced communication blackouts and some residents were reluctant to communicate with the United Nations.

To suppress opposition, the Myanmar military regime used the Election Protection Law to restrict even minor online activities, and arrested 404 people. Among them, three individuals were sentenced to 42 to 49 years in prison for distributing leaflets in Yangon, Myanmar, urging people not to vote.

In the recently held general election in Myanmar, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which is backed by the military, secured a majority of seats in both houses of parliament, achieving a landslide victory.

The new president, who will be elected through an indirect parliamentary vote within 60 days after the general election, is expected to be chosen by the USDP.

Previously, the Myanmar military claimed that the 2020 general election, in which the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory, was fraudulent. The military then staged a coup in February of the following year and seized power. Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to 27 years in prison on charges including corruption.