The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will not endorse elections in military-ruled Myanmar, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said Tuesday, citing concerns over the lack of inclusive and free participation.

Myanmar’s military-backed party appeared set to secure a parliamentary majority after the second round of voting earlier this month in the country’s first general election since the army ousted the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The takeover sparked widespread opposition, which has escalated into a civil war.

Human rights groups and opposition parties have criticized the polls as neither free nor fair, describing them as an attempt by the military to legitimize its rule.

Speaking in Parliament, Mohamad Hasan said ASEAN leaders decided at their October summit not to send official observers because the conditions for a credible election were not met, although some member countries did so individually. Myanmar’s Information Ministry reported that Cambodia and Vietnam were among nations that sent observers.

Taiwan hails its ‘best’ trade deal with US, as China protests

Mohamad Hasan emphasized that ASEAN requires elections to allow comprehensive and free participation rather than being conducted in phases or under restrictions that exclude certain candidates.

“We didn’t send observers and by virtue of that, we don’t certify the election,” he said, marking the first clear statement from the 11-member bloc that it will not recognize the election results.

ASEAN has repeatedly called on Myanmar’s military to implement its agreed peace plan, including ending violence, ensuring humanitarian access, and holding inclusive dialogue. While Myanmar’s military leaders have been suspended from ASEAN summits, the bloc remains divided between engagement and pressure strategies.

Myanmar denies genocide, calls Rohingya crackdown counterterrorism at ICJ

Final results for all national and regional legislative seats are expected later this month.