As Myanmar goes to the polls, a total of 584 political activists are currently either in jail or awaiting trial. These figures are based on information from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma.

The number of activists either in jail or awaiting trial is almost exactly the same as before the 2015 election when the military still ruled the country.

When Burma went to the polls in 2015, the military-backed government of President Thein Sein had a total of 598 political activists in jail or awaiting trial.

Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government has complete control over whether or not political activists face trial and whether political prisoners remain in jail. These are areas the military handed over to the civilian government under the 2008 Constitution.

Activists claim the government has the power to free all political prisoners, drop charges against activists, and repeal repressive laws used to jail political prisoners.

When the National League for Democracy came to power in 2016, it stated that releasing political prisoners was a top priority. Aung San Suu Kyi herself famously stated that one political prisoner was one too many. However, when the release of political prisoners did go ahead, only around 80 were released, leaving many still in jail. Outstanding charges against some activists were dropped, but not against all.

Since then, Aung San Suu Kyi's government has become increasingly intolerant of criticism and the number of political prisoners has steadily grown, despite some releases during Burmese New Year, most years. Aung San Suu Kyi has not only kept almost all repressive laws in place, her government has been willing to use them and to allow the military to use them to silence, intimidate and jail critics.