BANGKOK — The military leader of Myanmar announced plans for a general election within the next 10 months, as reported by state media on Saturday, nearly four years after the military took control from an elected government.
According to the Global New Light of Myanmar, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing stated during a press conference in Belarus, a nation known for its military relationship with Myanmar, that the anticipated election would occur by December this year or by January 2026 at the latest. Although specific dates were unveiled, the filing for participation by 53 political parties in the forthcoming election was mentioned.
This declaration comes amid ongoing conflict within Myanmar, where the military faces growing opposition from pro-democracy forces and ethnic militias seeking more autonomy. Since the military’s takeover in February 2021 from the then-elected Aung San Suu Kyi, public opposition has been significant, resulting in armed conflict across various regions. The military government repeatedly cited elections as a future goal but has continually delayed their occurrence.
Observers and critics view this electoral proposal as an effort by the military to legitimize its current rule and secure a favorable political outcome that would keep them in power. Concerns have been raised regarding the legitimacy of the planned elections due to restricted press freedom and the detainment of major political figures, including the leader Suu Kyi, who faces a cumulative 27 years in prison following trials perceived as biased.
The security dynamics within Myanmar complicate the election process, with military control estimated to cover less than half the country’s territory. Initially, the military government indicated intentions to hold elections primarily within zones under its command. Earlier efforts to conduct a census for voter registration in October met with limited success, achieving data collection from only 145 out of 330 townships. The report noted difficulties in regions governed by ethnic groups and pro-democracy insurgents.
The National Unity Government (NUG), standing as the primary opposition group, has articulated its aim to disrupt these military-supervised elections through peaceful measures.
