Myanmar’s Military Leader Announces Dates for General Election

Min Aung made the declaration during a press conference in Belarus, one of Myanmar's few remaining allies. He stated that 53 political parties had already submitted their participation lists. However, he did not provide specific election dates.

The announcement comes as Myanmar continues to struggle with civil unrest, with the military facing growing resistance from pro-democracy militants and ethnic militias fighting for autonomy. Since the military's coup in February 2021, which ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's elected government, the country has been embroiled in violent conflict, with large parts of the nation in opposition to military rule.

The military government has repeatedly delayed the election, a key promise it made following the coup. Critics argue that the planned election will be neither free nor fair, pointing to the lack of independent media and the widespread arrest of leaders from Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD). Suu Kyi, now 79, is serving a 27-year prison sentence after being convicted in politically motivated trials orchestrated by the military.

The security situation remains a significant obstacle to holding an election, with the military controlling less than half of the country. The junta previously stated that the election would only be held in regions under its control. A census attempt in October to gather voter information was largely unsuccessful, with the military unable to collect data from areas controlled by ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy guerrillas.

Myanmar's main opposition, the National Unity Government (NUG), has vowed to prevent the military-held election through peaceful means, rejecting the legitimacy of the planned vote.