Government pushes back at military chief criticism

Government pushes back at military chief criticism
Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi leaves after casting her ballot during early voting in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, 29 October 2020. Photo: EPA

Myanmar’s civilian government pushed back Wednesday at criticism from the powerful military chief over preparations for weekend elections, with the office of the president saying Senior General Min Aung Hlaing had created “instability” and broken a law banning partisanship by public officials, RFA reported.

The nation of 54 million people goes to the polls on Nov. 8. Some 7,000 candidates from more than 90 parties are vying for more than 1,100 seats in both houses of the national parliament and in state and regional legislatures.

On Monday, six days before the nationwide vote, a statement issued by Min Aung Hlaing highlighted public complaints of “weakness and deficiencies” in poll management.