Zaw Min Tun

 

 

The military regime in Myanmar has officially ended the state of emergency it imposed in February 2021, claiming it is a step toward holding long-promised elections amid ongoing civil unrest and international scepticism.

 

Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun announced the move on Thursday, stating, “The state of emergency is abolished today in order for the country to hold elections on the path to a multi-party democracy.” He added that elections will be held “within six months.”

 

The military took power in a coup three years ago, toppling the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and plunging the country into a brutal civil war that has killed thousands and displaced millions. The emergency decree granted junta leader Min Aung Hlaing sweeping control over the country’s legislature, judiciary and executive branches.

 

Min Aung Hlaing has framed the upcoming election as a means of national reconciliation, telling officials in Naypyidaw, “We have already passed the first chapter. Now, we are starting the second chapter.” The military-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported his statement that the election will take place in December, though no exact date has been confirmed.

 

However, the announcement has done little to appease critics. Opposition groups, including ousted lawmakers from Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, have vowed to boycott the vote. A United Nations expert last month dismissed the planned polls as “a fraud” aimed at legitimising continued military rule.

 

Analysts also anticipate the military strongman will maintain influence post-election—possibly as president or military chief—securing his position as the country’s de facto leader.

 

Concerns about the legitimacy and inclusiveness of the vote persist. A nationwide census conducted last year ahead of the election failed to reach 19 million of Myanmar’s 51 million citizens due to what authorities called “significant security constraints.” Political parties are currently registering, and the junta has begun training officials to use electronic voting machines.

 

Meanwhile, the regime has enacted a new law criminalising speech or protest aimed at “destroying a part of the electoral process,” with penalties of up to 10 years in prison. In an apparent effort to stabilise the situation, the junta is offering cash incentives to rebel fighters willing to surrender ahead of the vote.

 

Despite these efforts, many observers expect intensified resistance as the election nears, questioning whether any meaningful democratic process can take place amid an ongoing civil war.

 

-2025-07-31

When you have a country that either assassinates, threatens or jails duly elected leaders and leading candidates, you just can't call that an election. You can call it a sham, you can call it a fraud, you can call it the practices of a despotic super freak, and regardless of whether or not the West willingly goes along with the charade, it is anything but a free and fair election.