Myanmar Junta Using New Election Law to Crack Down on Dissent Ahead of Sham Elections - Fortify Rights 12/16/25, 10:40 AM criticism and any speech, organizing, or protest that could be construed as disrupting the “electoral process.” Violations carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison or the death penalty. The junta is using its new bogus law as a weapon to silence anyone advocating for reedom and democracy,” said John Quinley, Director at Fortify Rights. “The Myanmar military is increasingly wielding its newly mposed election decree as a tool of epression, charging media houses and rresting journalists, activists, and ordinary itizens who criticize or refuse to legitimize the unta. These so-called elections are nothing more than an authoritarian performance and will deepen Myanmar’s problems.” Between July and early November 2025, at least 95 charges were !led under the new Election Protection Law, according to the junta-run Ministry of Information. In November 2025, Fortify Rights documented two separate incidents in which a media outlet and junta critics were charged under the new Election Protection Law. On November 10, 2025, the Myanmar military junta !led charges https://www.fortifyrights.org/mya-inv-2025-12-10/ Page 4 of 16