The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) stated Wednesday that it will not recognize the elections recently held in Myanmar, reflecting a growing rejection of the junta-led process that many have described as “sham elections.”

The Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro spoke on the organization’s position during a press conference, and later described online how ASEAN has “discussed ways forward” regarding Myanmar and sought “collective resolve in finding a peaceful and lasting solution that is Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led.”

Myanmar’s elections were the first since the military seized power in February 2021. UN-appointed human rights experts stated the first round of voting exposed the exercise as an “orchestrated election” designed to entrench military rule rather than reflect the will of the people. The UN reported that these elections took place amid widespread repression, including mass arrests, restrictions on political participation, and the continued detention of elected leaders. 

ASEAN’s position aligns with that of many rights groups. Human Rights Watch has stated that the elections represented a “fraudulent claim for credibility,” pointing to the dissolution of opposition parties, severe limits on media freedom, and laws that criminalize dissent.

While the elections have been observed to appear “laughable” in procedural terms, their impact is “deadly serious,” as the junta seeks to use them to normalize military rule and reduce international pressure. Policy research institutes similarly concluded that the elections signal the military’s intention to remain in power.

Lazaro’s statement has reinforced ASEAN’s continued resistance within the bloc to legitimizing the junta’s political roadmap. International observers maintain that without an end to violence, restrictions and violation of rights, along with the release of political prisoners, the citizens of Myanmar cannot freely participate in the electoral process.