Myanmar's Military Regime Frees Two High Leaders Of The Election Commission Who Has BEEN DETAINed Since LAST YEAR

Illustration of meeting of Myanmar military officials. (Source: seniorgeneralminaunghlaing.com)

JAKARTA - Myanmar's military regime announced Wednesday that it has released two high-ranking officials of the country's election commission who were jailed on charges of fraud over the 2020 vote won by Aung San Suu Kyi's party.

Chairman of the election commission Hla Thein and spokesman Myint Naing were detained shortly after the military took power last year, on charges of massive fraud in elections that international observers say are largely free and fair.

They were later sentenced to three years in prison in a closed trial, for "failed to provide an explanation to people for vote fraud.

Their sentences were canceled last month, with health and age considerations, both in their 70s, as well as the state's virtues, the military regime said in a statement.

A junta spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.

The military regime is known to have canceled the results of the 2020 General Election, in which Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) defeated its military-backed rival.

Junta is said to be holding a new election next year, a plan that is 'hit' by the United States but was praised by close allies and Russia.

All political parties must seek permission if they wish to meet with foreign organizations or individuals, the general election commission said in August.

Those who fail to comply will have their registration canceled, he added.

Separately, in commemoration of the 2020 elections, the NLD called for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, with the junta allowing its senior leaders to meet with Suu Kyi.

It is known that the Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been detained since the coup. In June, he was transferred from house arrests in the capital to isolation cells.

Since last year's coup, Myanmar has been in turmoil. More than 2,400 civilians have died in the military crackdown on dissent, according to local monitoring groups.

The junta blamed anti-coup fighters for the deaths of more than 4,000 civilians.