Myanmar’s former leader Aung San Suu Kyi slamed with new charges

Myanmar’s military-controlled election commission has brought new charges against ousted State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and 15 other officials in connection with the country’s November 2020 general election.

The commission said in a statement carried by a state-run newspaper on Tuesday that the 16 officials, including President Win Myint, were involved in improper and unlawful practices in the election.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, or NLD, won the vote by a landslide. The commission accuses them of pressuring local governments to put the names of unqualified people in voter registration books. It also says they interfered with campaigning so that the NLD would win.

Aung San Suu Kyi already faces more than 10 charges.

The commission announced in August that it had confirmed more than 11.3 million irregularities such as double voter registration and inclusion of unqualified voters.

Observers say Myanmar’s military is trying to portray the election as unfair to justify its coup in February.