Myanmar government chides army chief for criticising election run-up
05 November, 2020
The Myanmar President Office hit back at the army chief on Wednesday (Nov 4) for criticising the government's handling of an upcoming general election, warning that his remarks risked creating fear and unrest, just days away from the vote.
Military commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing in a rare interview on Tuesday said the federal government was making "unacceptable mistakes" in the run-up to Sunday's pivotal ballot, which will be Myanmar's second democratic vote because the end of practically five decades of army rule.
It had been his second warning in as much days about potential bias in the election, remarks that President Office spokesman Zaw Htay said were based on "uncertain words" of others.
"It is not beneficial to having a free of charge and fair election but will inspire unrest and concerns," Zaw Htay told a news conference.
Min Aung Hlaing had told the Popular News Journal that the military, as the "guardian" of the united states, was watching election preparations closely.
He said opposition parties had complained about irregularities, including voter lists which were incomplete and riddled with errors.
He made similar comments on Monday in a military statement that accused the election commission of "widespread violation of the laws and procedures of the pre-voting process".
The election commission cannot be reached for comment.
The commission is controlled by the government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, which has been at odds with the military on numerous issues in recent months, including reform of the constitution that was drafted by the military before it ceded power.
That constitution enshrines significant powers for the military and its own control of several key ministries, including Home Affairs.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy is widely likely to win Sunday's vote. In a Facebook post late on Tuesday, she needed calm and urged voters not to be intimidated.
"People are aware of attempts to disturb the holding of an effective election... They are intentionally inciting anger," she wrote, without elaborating.
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