No democracy amid sham elections and violent repression

ITUC-Asia Pacific sounds the alarm: the military junta’s planned elections in Myanmar are nothing more than a dangerous illusion of democracy. These sham polls are designed to whitewash crimes, entrench authoritarian rule, and silence the will of the people.

Since the 2021 coup, the junta has unleashed widespread atrocities — mass killings, arbitrary imprisonment, forced conscription of youth, the burning of villages, and the displacement of thousands. Under such conditions, no election can ever be free, fair, or credible.

Elections must reflect the people’s voice. They are the foundation of democracy, the means by which citizens hold leaders accountable and shape a fairer, more just society. For working people, free and fair elections are inseparable from the fight for trade union rights, safe workplaces, fair wages, strong public services, and environmental sustainability.

The trade union movement has a vital stake in this struggle. To compromise on electoral integrity is to compromise on workers’ rights, human dignity, and the future of democracy itself. That is why ITUC-Asia Pacific calls on unions, governments, and democratic allies to reject the junta’s sham elections, intensify solidarity with Myanmar’s democratic forces, and act decisively to restore democracy.

Want to know more? Read our statement on International Day of Democracy: Restore Democracy, Reject Myanmar’s Sham Elections!

Reject the sham elections: What trade unions can do
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1. Reject the sham elections. Publicly denounce the junta’s fraudulent polls and push governments and parliaments to refuse recognition of the process.
2. Intensify solidarity with Myanmar’s democratic forces. Support the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM), the National Unity Government (NUG), and all democratic forces resisting the junta.
3. Push for the implementation of the ILO Article 33 Resolution. Press governments to cut ties that enable the junta and fully enforce the ILO resolution.
4. Advocate for sanctions and diplomatic isolation. Demand targeted sanctions, trade restrictions, and diplomatic pressure.
5. Raise awareness and sustain the visibility of the crisis in Myanmar. Spread the word. Use ITUC-Asia Pacific resources in raising awareness and amplify the crisis in media, civil society, and international forums.
6. Support Myanmar trade union representation in international forums. Push for the inclusion of Myanmar trade unionists in global forums to tell their own stories and help shape international responses.

Trade union solidarity in action
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