1/9/26, 3:09 PM Myanmar vote a ‘facade’ to entrench military rule, independent rights expert says | UN News “You cannot have a free, fair or credible election when thousands of political prisoners are behind bars, credible opposition parties have been dissolved, journalists are muzzled, and fundamental freedoms are crushed,” Mr. Andrews said. Mr. Andrews also called on all armed groups to refrain from targeting civilians following reports of deadly attacks on election officials. “Attacks against civilians, by any combatants, are illegal and unacceptable,” he said. Deep concerns UN officials have repeatedly cautioned that elections held under current conditions risk worsening instability. Ahead of the vote, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that civilians were being compelled from all sides in a climate of fear, violence and mass repression, leaving no space for free or meaningful participation. Special Rapporteurs are independent experts mandated and appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and report on human rights situations. They are not UN staff, do not speak on behalf of the UN Secretariat and do not receive a salary for their work. ♦ Receive daily updates directly in your inbox - Subscribe here to a topic. ♦ Download the UN News app for your iOS or Android devices. MYANMAR RELATED STORIES https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/01/1166729 4/8