KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has formally declined to validate recent elections in military-controlled Myanmar, marking a significant diplomatic stance against the ruling junta. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan confirmed the bloc’s position during a parliamentary session on Tuesday, emphasizing concerns regarding the electoral process’s failure to meet standards of inclusivity and freedom.
This development follows Myanmar’s two-phase general election—the first since the February 2021 military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government. The takeover ignited widespread civil unrest that has since escalated into full-scale civil conflict. According to human rights organizations and opposition groups, the voting process was systematically engineered to legitimize military authority rather than reflect genuine democratic expression.
Minister Hasan revealed that ASEAN leaders collectively determined during their October summit not to deploy official observers due to unmet prerequisites for credible elections. While certain member states—including Cambodia and Vietnam—opted to send independent monitors, the bloc itself maintained a unified position of non-participation. “Our decision to abstain from sending observers inherently means we cannot certify the election,” Hasan stated, delivering the first explicit regional declaration rejecting the electoral outcomes.
The regional body has consistently urged Myanmar’s military leadership to implement an agreed-upon peace roadmap involving violence cessation, humanitarian access, and inclusive political dialogue. Although ASEAN suspended Myanmar’s generals from high-level meetings, internal divisions have hampered cohesive action, with some members advocating engagement while others support stronger pressure tactics.
Final results for national and regional legislative seats are anticipated later this month, with the military-backed party projected to secure parliamentary dominance.