Myanmar's Military Government Announces General Election in December 2025 or January 2026

Myanmar's Military Government Announces General Election in December 2025 or January 2026

Myanmar's military government has announced plans to hold a general election in December 2025 or January 2026, according to the country's state-run media on Saturday. The announcement was made by junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who has set a specific timeline for the long-promised elections.

In early 2021, Myanmar's military ousted the elected civilian government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. This event sparked nationwide protests and eventually led to an armed insurgency, which has now evolved into a stronger resistance movement against the military junta.

Despite the promise of elections, Min Aung Hlaing's administration has repeatedly extended the state of emergency, and the military has been battered by various opposition groups. Opponents view the upcoming elections as an attempt by the military junta to maintain its grip on power, as most political parties have been banned, and the junta has lost control over several regions of the country.

During a visit to Belarus, Min Aung Hlaing stated, "We are planning to hold a free and fair election soon. So far, 53 political parties have submitted their participation lists for the election."

However, preparing voter lists for the election has proven challenging, as only 145 out of the country's 330 cities have completed full population counts, which could pose a difficulty for the upcoming elections.

Additionally, there are concerns that the election may lead to further violence, as the junta and its opponents continue to fight for control of territories. Myanmar's conflict is escalating, severely damaging the country's economy and displacing more than 3.5 million people.