Myanmar Junta Chief Eyes Presidency in Controversial Poll

[geovalin]

MOI

 

Myanmar’s military ruler, Min Aung Hlaing, has kicked off what appears to be a thinly veiled presidential campaign, urging troops to support candidates aligned with the junta in December’s widely discredited election.

 

The coup leader made the appeal during a visit to military families in Kengtung, Shan State, positioning himself and his proxy party — the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) — at the centre of the upcoming vote. Though he has pledged to hand over power to the election’s winner, critics say the process is a farce, designed to cement military dominance.

 

The USDP, packed with former army officers and chaired by ex-Brigadier General Khin Yi, is expected to sweep the poll following the dissolution of major pro-democracy parties, including Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD). The NLD won the last democratic election in 2020 by a landslide before being ousted by the military the following year.

 

Observers believe Min Aung Hlaing is setting the stage to secure the presidency through the parliament, which is heavily influenced by the military. Under the 2008 junta-drafted constitution, military appointees control a quarter of all seats and will vote alongside elected MPs. With the NLD and other rivals barred, the USDP is expected to dominate, effectively ensuring his victory.

 

The planned election has drawn sharp condemnation both at home and abroad. The civilian-led National Unity Government and many in Myanmar view it as a sham. Western governments have echoed those concerns, while ASEAN has shown division: Malaysia has warned that voting amid violence and repression risks further delegitimising the process.

 

Only around 25% of the country is believed to be under junta control, and even the regime admits its census failed to count over half of the population. Nevertheless, 54 parties — mostly military-aligned — have been approved to run, with campaign activities already under way.

 

As the military seeks to present a veneer of electoral legitimacy, critics warn the upcoming vote could entrench authoritarian rule rather than restore democracy. For Min Aung Hlaing, however, the ballot may be the final step in converting his coup into a presidency.

 

-2025-05-28

[spidermike007]

Myanmar’s military ruler, Min Aung Laing, needs to be either imprisoned for the rest of his sorry life, or executed ASAP. The fact that he's considering running for president shows the Burmese Army has no intention of giving up power. Let us hope the rebels continue their advances and take down that toxic Army completely. Then let the retribution begin in earnest.