The ruling junta is overseeing the election, which starts on December 28. According to the government, it hopes the election will unite the country, which has been ravaged by civil war since the military coup in 2021.
Some international observers dismiss the election as a pretext for continuing military rule. Polling stations are expected to be blocked in opposition-controlled parts of the country.
The law the junta is using to prosecute the more than 200 people was introduced in July and prohibits “obstruction, disruption and destruction” of elections. The penalty ranges from up to ten years in prison for people who, for example, criticize or protest the election. However, critics say the law is intended to stifle dissent.
