Naypyitaw braces for huge political storm amid fears top NLD officials will be detained 

(Naypyitaw) – Politicians and officials in Naypyitaw are braced for a huge political storm in the coming days as events test whether the military will, as many now fear, abolish the constitution and stage a coup.

Sources in the capital told Myanmar Now there was speculation that the military may detain State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and other top government officials. 

Union Election Commission (UEC) chair Hla Thein and Hluttaw Speakers T Khun Myat and Mahn Win Khaing Than are also among those that figures in Naypyitaw fear may be detained, the sources said. 

Win Htein, a senior official in the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), told Reuters on Friday that he was prepared in case he is arrested. “I am packed and ready to follow them if they come to take me today,” he told the news agency. 

A new parliament had been due to convene on Monday, but state broadcaster MRTV announced on Friday that the Amyotha Hluttaw, the upper house, would now convene a day later than planned.

If and when newly elected lawmakers convene, Myanmar Now’s sources said unelected military MPs, who are guaranteed a quarter of all seats, may refuse to join them in parliament. 

The military asked the NLD to postone convening the new parliament during a high-level meeting in Naypyitaw on Thursday, but Aung San Suu Kyi rejected that and other demands, according to unnamed sources quoted in The Irrawaddy. 

Hundreds of supporters of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) rallied near the Supreme Court on Friday, driving vehicles flying banners that read: “The government putting the public in crisis needs to resign.” 

Security was tightened around the court and the nearby UEC offices. The USDP vehicles were stopped at a police blockade at a roundabout on the way to the court before circling the roundabout at least 10 times.

The protestors called for the removal of the election commission, which they branded “a national threat”.

The UEC on Thursday responded to mounting pressure from the military to investigate possible fraud in the November 8 election by saying the result must be respected. 

“According to the constitution, the wishes of the people cannot be negotiated or compromised by any individual or organization,” it said in a statement. 

The USDP, along with a party called the Democratic Party of National Politics, has petitioned the Supreme Court to issue a writ forcing the commission to investigate the results of the November 8 poll, in which the NLD won more than 80% of available seats. 

The two parties have also submitted petitions for the court to issue writs of Quo Warranto against the President, as well as Hla Thein and other election commission members. 

Such a writ can compel someone who holds a position of power to show on what authority they exercise that power.  

It is unclear when the court will make a decision, but tensions in the capital are expected to escalate further if the court rejects the requests.

Social media users were alarmed on Thursday by photos of tanks driving on the streets of Yangon, Bhamo in Kachin state and Kanbalu in Sagaing region, with many interpreting the vehicles’ appearance as a threat. 

The USDP won just 71 out of the 1,117 available seats in November. Since then it has sought to undermine the results with allegations of fraud, and has helped rally protesters across the country to denounce the election commission and show support for the military. 

Embassies and diplomatic missions in Yangon representing 16 Western countries on Friday urged the military “to adhere to democratic norms”. 

“We oppose any attempt to alter the outcome of the elections or impede Myanmar’s democratic transition,” embassies for the US, UK, Canada and others said in a joint statement.

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres urged all parties in Myanmar to “desist from any form of incitement or provocation, demonstrate leadership and to adhere to democratic norms.” 

Speaking to Myanmar Now earlier this week, veteran 1988 activist Min Ko Naing said the costs of the military seizing power again would be devastating. 

“The most important thing in our country right now is to start the new parliamentary term and form a government. And that has to be in line with the election results,” he said.

If the election is annulled, as it was 1990, and the military takes over, he added, “this will break an entire generation. We’ve seen the precedents.” 

“Our generation understands this the most,” he said. “The country will have to start from scratch.”