Myanmar’s military government dissolved the National League for Democracy, the pro-democracy party of Aung San Suu Kyi, after it failed to register as a political entity for upcoming elections.

The Union Election Commission said on Tuesday (Mar 28) 63 political parties including 50 existing parties have applied for registration to compete in the general elections the military is planning. The NLD was among 40 dissolved parties that failed to submit an application within the 60-day deadline required under a new law. The commission said it will continue to accept applications for establishment of new parties, without elaborating. 

The new law, enacted Jan 26, allows for automatic disqualification of a party from an election and dissolution if it fails to register. Political organisations had until Tuesday to list their names with the poll panel. Major General Zaw Min Tun, lead spokesman for the ruling State Administration Council, was earlier quoted by the state broadcaster saying that all existing parties must comply with the law. 

The NLD’s Central Working Committee said in statement posted on Facebook that it held a meeting last week and unanimously decided to boycott the junta’s elections. It called for the immediate release of its top leaders including Suu Kyi and President Win Myint.

Myanmar has been struggling with multiple challenges since the military seized power in a 2021 coup. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing planned to hold elections in August 2023, but the date became unpredictable after the military extended emergency rule earlier this year. The South-east Asian nation’s leader recently reiterated his pledge to hold general elections at a parade in Naypyidaw, but the election has been dismissed as a “sham” by the United Nations and the US. BLOOMBERG