Myanmar army leader touts election plan on Independence Day

By GRANT PECK
Associated Press

BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s ruling military leader has pardoned over 7,000 prisoners, including some political detainees, and detailed plans for an election later this year during a ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of independence. Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing urged other nations and international organizations and his country’s own people to support “the genuine, discipline-flourishing multiparty democratic system.” The plan is widely seen as an attempt to normalize the military’s seizure of power in 2021 through the ballot box and to deliver a result that ensures the generals retain control. The military will control the entire process and has spent the past two years enfeebling any credible opposition. There’s no sign the pardoning of 7,012 prisoners included ousted leader Aung Suu Kyi.