China supports Myanmar junta plan for fresh elections: Foreign Minister
Myanmar is deeply divided by conflict, with civilians caught up in near-daily bomb blasts, targeted killings and clashes between the military and opponents of its coup.
The military has acknowledged it does not fully control swathes of the country and in February activated a long-dormant conscription law to replenish its ranks.
It has said it will hold polls next year after conducting a nationwide census.
Last year the junta banned Suu Kyi’s widely popular National League for Democracy party that won a landslide in 2020 elections, trouncing its military-backed rival.
The junta has cited unsubstantiated claims of massive fraud during those polls as the reason for its coup.
The United States has said any elections under the junta would be a “sham”, while analysts say polls would be targeted by the military’s opponents and spark further bloodshed.
Russia, a close ally of the isolated junta, has previously said it backs the generals’ plan for polls.
Source: CNA