Myanmar’s military authorities have arrested three artists accused of undermining the junta-organized election, drawing condemnation from rights observers who say the move reflects deepening repression ahead of the December polls.

State-run media reported on Thursday(October 30) that the three men,a film director, an actor, and a comedian were detained on October 27 under newly introduced legislation that punishes speech deemed harmful to the electoral process with prison terms of up to ten years.

According to the Global New Light of Myanmar, the artists allegedly posted “false and misleading criticism” on social media targeting other performers who appeared in a pro-election film aired repeatedly on state television. The movie portrays a village doctor urging anti-junta fighters to lay down their weapons and support the elections, which are scheduled to begin in phases on December 28.

The newspaper accused the arrested artists of failing to use their talents to promote the election and instead attacking colleagues cooperating with the junta’s campaign.

Under the legislation enacted in July, any act of organizing, inciting, protesting, or distributing materials deemed to disrupt the electoral process is punishable by three to seven years in prison for individuals and up to ten years for groups.

Rights organizations, including the Asian Network for Free Elections, have warned that the junta is weaponizing restrictive laws to suppress dissent and curtail basic freedoms.

Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup in 2021, overthrowing the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and plunging the country into civil war. Rebel groups have vowed to block the upcoming polls in areas under their control, while international observers have dismissed the election as an attempt to legitimize military rule amid ongoing conflict and repression.
 

BOB Post