MYANMAR JUNTA’S PLANNED ELECTIONS: FALLING SHORT OF DEMOCRATIC LEGITIMACY A coalition of political organizations across Myanmar is now drafting a new framework for constitution building with the Articles of Federal Transitional Arrangements (AFTA), embracing the principle of bottom-up federalism, which are expected to be published by the end of the year. These are the initiatives that should be supported by the international community for a more inclusive, stable, and democratic Myanmar. The military junta has neither constitutional nor democratic legitimacy to call elections. The mandate of the people remains with the lawmakers elected in the 2020 general election until genuine and transparent elections can be held. Applicable international standards: • Article 21(3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights establishes that the will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government. • Article 25 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights states that every citizen has the right to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives, and to vote and be elected in genuine periodic elections. • Article 2(2) of the ASEAN Charter requires ASEAN member states to adhere to the rule of law, good governance, the principles of democracy and constitutional government. • Article 3(11) of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s Declaration on Criteria for Free and Fair Elections states that every candidate and political party competing in an election shall accept the outcome of a free and fair election. 12