Overview

• The junta abolished its nationwide state of emergency on July 31 to prepare for a December general election set to take place within six months
• Senior General Min Aung Hlaing signed the Law on the Protection of Multiparty Democratic Elections from Obstruction, Disruption and Destruction on July 29, prescribing three to 20 years behind bars or the death penalty if violence during a disruption causes fatalities
• The legislation outlaws any speech, organizing, protests or leaflet distribution intended to obstruct the vote and bans damaging ballot papers, polling stations or intimidating voters, candidates and election staff
• Security committees will be established to monitor domestic and international organizations deemed potential threats to election security during the campaign period
• The National Unity Government and ethnic armed groups have vowed to boycott and undermine what they call an illegitimate poll as UN experts and global observers denounce the vote as a fraudulent bid to legitimize military rule