Myanmar: Silent strike defies military, boycotts election

• Critics of Myanmar's army rule staged a "silent strike" on Wednesday, urging a boycott of the upcoming December 28 elections.
• The General Strike Coordination Body called for people to stay indoors from 10 am to 3 pm on International Human Rights Day to protest the polls.
• Critics argue the elections are neither free nor fair and are an attempt by the military to legitimize its 2021 coup.
• Authorities are seeking to arrest 10 pro-democracy activists, including Tayzar San, for disrupting the electoral process, with penalties up to 10 years in prison.
• These activists had staged a street protest in Mandalay last week, distributing leaflets against the elections.

Why It Matters: It shows Myanmar's upcoming elections lack legitimacy due to widespread public boycott.