In Myanmar, a 37-year-old election candidate named Wai Lin Htet was detained on a Saturday afternoon while at home with his family in Pakokku Township, located in the central Magway Region. This incident is regarded as the first known detention of an election candidate before the polls scheduled for December 28. The action was carried out by three members of a local resistance group called the People’s Defense Force, which intends to oppose the military’s efforts to conduct elections following the army's takeover of the government in February 2021. Since the military assumed control from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, the nation has been gripped by conflict and unrest, leading to a rise in armed resistance against the military regime. Critics regard the election as a mere facade aimed at legitimizing the military takeover rather than representing a genuine democratic process. Many political groups and armed units have vowed to disrupt the election, and the atmosphere surrounding it has been described by United Nations human rights representatives as charged with threats and violence that suppress political participation. It has been reported that under a new electoral law enacted in July, authorities are investigating the actions of the three individuals involved in the detention, as detaining a parliamentary candidate carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison. Furthermore, nearly 100 people have already been imprisoned under this law, including artists and political figures, some facing lengthy sentences. The Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party, which Wai Lin Htet represents, has been evolving to compete on a larger scale, now being the fifth largest party among those contesting the elections nationwide. However, the party is navigating a complex political landscape where its participation could be interpreted as alignment with the military.