Less than two weeks after junta boss Min Aung Hlaing promised an election next year, Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Aghay Thakur met Myanmar’s poll chief Ko Ko on Monday to discuss cooperation between the two countries’ election bodies, according to Irrawaddy, a Myamnar-based independent media organisation.

During Monday’s meeting, the Indian ambassador offered to provide technology and training for the junta’s election commission.

The regime claims it is now “systematically” compiling voter lists with software developed by local experts.

Min Aung Hlaing’s promise of an election looks farfetched, however.

His regime has been ceding large swaths of territory since late last year as ethnic forces make impressive gains in Rakhine and northern Shan State. Meanwhile over 3 million people have been displaced by fighting across the country, according to the UN.

Given current conditions, observers doubt the regime can even compile voter lists.