Myanmar’s junta-picked election body declares 2020 polls ‘invalid’

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA (AA) – Myanmar's military junta-appointed election commission has declared "invalid" the result of last November's election in the country, local media reported on Friday.

The announcement was made by U Thein Soe, the head of the Union Election Commission, after he met at least 53 political parties in the capital Naypyitaw, according to The Irrawaddy news outlet.

"The National League for Democracy's [NLD] 2020 election result is no longer valid," Thein Soe said.

Myanmar's military declared a state of emergency on Feb. 1, hours after detaining de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and senior members of the ruling NLD.

The coup took place hours before the country's new parliament was set to convene following November elections in which the NLD made sweeping gains.

The military claimed it launched the coup due to "election fraud," resulting in the NLD's dominance.

Shortly after the Feb. 1 coup, the junta declared martial law imposing a nightly curfew and a ban on gatherings of five or more people.

However, the junta has failed to quell popular protests by the people and a civil disobedience campaign initiated by government officials against military rule.