Myanmar’s Arakan Army Blocks Elections

• The Arakan Army (AA) pledges to block elections in 14 out of 17 townships in Rakhine State, rejecting polls deemed by the military junta as a solution to the nation’s civil war.

• The AA, a key challenger to Myanmar’s ruling generals, controls nearly all of western Rakhine State.

• The junta ended the nationwide state of emergency declared during the coup and announced a general election in December.

• Opposition groups boycott the vote, with a UN expert labeling it a “fraud” to legitimize the junta’s rule.