Regime announces elections during a visit to Belarus
Regime media reported on Saturday that Min Aung Hlaing announced that elections in Burma could be held as early as this December or in January 2026, during a visit to Belarus on Friday. This is despite a regime announcement last year stating that elections would be tentatively held this November. Registered political parties told DVB they were instructed to prepare for polls in 110 out of 330 townships nationwide.
“Due to electoral fraud in the 2020 election, we declared a state of emergency and have temporarily taken responsibility of the country. So, we will soon hold elections in accordance with the law. I would like to say that we are planning to hold free and fair elections at the earliest in December 2025 or January 2026,” said Min Aung Hlaing during his two-day visit to the Belarus capital Minsk on March 7.
He added that a total of 53 political parties have registered with the regime’s Union Election Commission (UEC). Only nine of the 54 will compete nationwide, the UEC reported. Data collected by the regime in 145 townships during the 2024 census will be used to stage the elections. In the remaining 185 townships, only partial data was collected in 127 while no data was collected at all in 58.
Three Kachin Independence Army members detained in Kutkai
Kutkai Township residents told DVB that the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) detained three members from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) during a raid on two of its liaison and local defense offices in Kutkai town of northern Shan State on Friday. Kutkai is 47 miles (75 km) north of the regional capital Lashio.
“TNLA forces are driving out KIA forces. They’re also removing equipment from the office,” a Kutkai resident told DVB. The KIA had been active in Kutkai before the TNLA and its ally, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), seized the town in January 2024. Tension between the KIA and both the TNLA and the MNDAA have been reported across northern Shan State.
Six civilians were killed by the MNDAA at a protest against gold mining operations in Monese village, 41 miles (66 km) northeast of Kutkai, on Wednesday. Among those killed were two members of the KIA in civilian clothing, according to residents. Eleven KIA members were injured by the TNLA in Mantong, which is 53 miles (85 km) northwest of Kutkai on Feb. 27.
New round of sanctions on Myanmar from Canada
Justice for Myanmar welcomed additional sanctions from Canada on Friday against 13 individuals and three entities in Burma “for undermining the peace, security and stability of the country and contributing to gross human rights violations.” The previous round of sanctions imposed by Canada, included companies and individuals linked to importing aviation fuel to the military.
“While Canada’s sanctions send a strong message to the junta, far more needs to be done to stop its campaign of terror,” said Yadanar Maung, the Justice for Myanmar spokesperson, “It’s been over four years since the military’s illegal coup attempt and the junta is continuing to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity with total impunity, as Myanmar people courageously resist.”
Canada’s latest round of sanctions include the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 33, which allegedly perpetrated genocide against the Rohingya in 2017 and also killed peaceful anti-coup protestors in 2021. The 13 individuals named by Canada serve as the members of the regime. Justice for Myanmar called on Canada and its allies to expand sanctions to target the military’s source of funds, arms, equipment and aviation fuel.
News by Region
ARAKAN—Families in Sittwe Township told DVB that they want a halt to the fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and regime forces during this year’s matriculation exams, which will be held March 17-22. Over 2,000 students are registered, including 699 in Sittwe, 834 in Kyaukphyu and 564 in Manaung townships.
“[The exams] will be held at 12 different centers in three townships. The location of the centers may change depending on security,” a source from the Arakan State Education Office told DVB. More than 18,000 students from nine townships in Arakan participated in the exam during the 2023-24 academic year.
Taungup Township residents told Narinjara News Agency that the AA had sealed off more than 30 homes belonging to individuals and families with alleged connections to the regime on March 6. Taungup is located 284 miles (457 km) south of the state capital Sittwe. It has been under AA control since Nov. 24.
A Taungup resident said that one of the individuals targeted, who had his home sealed by the AA, owns a shipping dock and trading business which serves military interests. Lay Waddy FM reported that nearly 100 homes in Taungup and Maungdaw township of northern Arakan have been sealed by the AA.
MAGWAY—Pakokku Township residents told DVB that 14 male bus drivers ranging in age from 20 to 30 were arrested on the road leading to Yesagyo Township on Friday. Pakokku is located 105 miles (168 km) north of the region’s capital Magway.
“Their family members have been told not to collect them for five days,” a Pakokku resident told DVB. A bus driver said that an unknown number of bus companies have temporarily halted operations following the arrests. Residents fear that the 14 men were arrested and face conscription under the military service law, which has been enforced since February 2024.
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