In a speech delivered during the annual Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar’s military leader reaffirmed intentions to proceed with a general election by the close of the year, encouraging opposition forces battling the military to transition to participating in political parties and elections.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing stated that the military-led administration aimed to conduct the election this December. However, he indicated the timing would depend on the security landscape in various regions marred by ongoing armed conflict.
Addressing an audience of over 7,000 military personnel and observers, the general oversaw a parade featuring troops standing ready with rifles, as well as an aerial display of fighter jets releasing flares, lighting up the night sky. The parade was marked by a show of military discipline as soldiers saluted Min Aung Hlaing while marching past him.
The military takeover from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 has incited widespread dissent, leading to armed conflicts that have destabilized many regions in the country. The junta’s pledge to hold elections is seen by critics as a maneuver to cement its hold on power via electoral validation, potentially manipulating outcomes to extend military dominance.
In his address, Min Aung Hlaing reiterated unsubstantiated allegations against Suu Kyi’s administration concerning unaddressed irregularities in the November 2020 elections. He vowed that the forthcoming elections would be free and fair, asserting readiness to transfer power afterward—claims met with skepticism given recent crackdowns and detentions of key opposition figures.
The prospect of holding such elections faces hurdles due to limited military control over national territory. Observers claim that any military-run election would lack freedom and fairness as media freedoms are restricted, and numerous leaders from Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy have been incarcerated. Suu Kyi herself is serving a cumulative 27-year sentence stemming from charges widely deemed politically motivated.
This year’s Armed Forces Day also commemorated 80 years since the Myanmar army, then part of Burma, initiated its campaign against Japanese occupiers in World War II. In the run-up to this event, Min Aung Hlaing had previously elaborated on election timeline plans during a March visit to Belarus, noting that 53 political groups had expressed intentions to join in the electoral process.
State media confirmed on Tuesday that election planning was ongoing, yet details on the exact dates remain ambiguous, with possibilities spanning late December to early January. In a separate announcement on Thursday, it was reported that Min Aung Hlaing authorized amnesty for seven foreign detainees, including four Thai nationals, who are set to be deported.
Amnesties in Myanmar are typically aligned with national or religious celebrations. However, clarity remains absent regarding whether these four individuals are the same as those previously apprehended by Myanmar’s navy following a confrontation involving Thai fishing vessels near the Andaman Sea maritime limits.