Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Myanmar junta enacts new political party law

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 Jan 2023 13:29
5 Min Read

The junta in Myanmar enacts new law on political parties, limiting political activity and hindering parties seeking to run in the upcoming general election.

  • x
  • Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing participates in a parade during the 76th Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, 27 March 2021 (EPA)
    Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing participates in a parade during the 76th Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, March 27, 2021 (EPA)

The junta in Myanmar enacted a new law regarding the registration of political parties, which would reportedly make it difficult for the opposition to amass enough impetus to even constitute a threat to the government in the general election set for later in the year.

The law, published on Friday in the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper, sets minimum funding and membership levels for parties partaking in the upcoming general election while banning any parties or candidates deemed unlawful or linked to organizations declared by Naypyidaw to be "terrorist groups".

The military seized power in Myanmar back in February 2021 using a constitutional mechanism allowing for the transfer of power during an emergency situation. The toppling of the government caused major civil unrest in the country.

According to the text published in Myanma media, the new law gives parties two months to register with the Union Election Commission, stressing that those that do not would be "automatically invalidated" and considered dissolved.

In order to compete nationwide, parties would need to attain a minimum of 100,000 members three months after being registered - 100 times higher than the minimum set in the law used in the 2020 election.

Additionally, parties are required to open offices in at least half of the country's 330 townships within six months of being registered and must be able to contest in at least 50% of all constituents.

The announcement of the new law came four days after Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the country’s military ruler, called at a Cabinet meeting for a new law that structures the political party system in a manner that reduces the number of parties. He said the election could be held once a state of emergency is declared after the army’s takeover is lifted, an action that is expected at the end of this month.

Former State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and then-President Win Myint were put under house arrest. San Suu Kyi, 77, has since been sentenced to over 20 years in prison by the junta.

Suu Kyi was imprisoned on five counts of corruption linked to the employment, procurement, and maintenance of a helicopter that resulted in a "loss to the state," as per the source.

Suu Kyi, 77, has been imprisoned by the military since the 2021 coup and has been convicted on every crime leveled against her, from embezzlement to illegally having walkie-talkies and violating Covid rules.

Related News

Pro-'Israel' Democrats breaking with Netanyahu amid Gaza war

‘Thirst grips my family’: No water or food amid Israeli Gaza genocide

In its first resolution on the situation in Myanmar since the coup, the UN Security Council adopted Wednesday a resolution on Myanmar calling for the release of former State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, former President Win Myint, as well as all prisoners detained at the hands of the Myanmar junta.

Myanmar has been in chaos since the military took power. According to the United Nations Children's Agency, over one million individuals have been displaced since the coup.

Moreover, it was discovered earlier in January that Israeli fingerprints were found in the Myanmar 2021 military coup after Reuters got its hands on new documents.

Shortly before the coup, Israeli Cognyte Software Ltd (CGNT.O) won a tender to provide the state-owned telecommunications company with advanced spyware that enables the government to monitor network users and intercept their activity.

A complaint presented by Israeli lawyer Eitay Mack to the Israeli attorney general said the deal was carried out despite an Israeli Supreme Court ruling in 2017 that bans arms sales to Myanmar's junta.

The complaint was signed by over 60 Israelis, "including a former speaker of the house, as well as prominent activists, academics and writers," Reuters reported.

According to the report, an activist group called Justice for Myanmar provided the tender documents to the news agency and Mack.

The documents reveal that Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) issued a letter on January 2021 to reward Cognyte with the contract for the spyware technology.

This is not the first time the Israeli spyware company comes under fire for enabling malicious activities.

Facebook's parent company Meta stated in a report that Cognyte "enables managing fake accounts across social media platforms."

According to the US tech giant, its investigations found that the cyber firm had clients in several countries such as Mexico, Indonesia, and Kenya, who targeted journalists and politicians among others.

"Myanmar's junta is using invasive telecoms spyware without legal safeguards to protect human rights," a Reuters report added, citing industry specialists and activists.

  • Israel
  • Israeli spyware
  • Myanmar
  • Aung San Suu Kyi

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS