Myanmar’s military leader, General Min Aung Hlaing, used an Armed Forces Day speech on Thursday to reiterate plans for a general election by the end of this year, urging opposition groups engaged in armed conflict to abandon resistance and join the political process.
Speaking before more than 7,000 troops at a parade in the capital Naypyitaw, Min Aung Hlaing said the military government was preparing for an election in December, though its implementation would depend on security conditions across the country’s conflict-ridden regions. Rifle-bearing soldiers stood at attention as the general reviewed their ranks from an open vehicle, followed by a march-past and a flyover by fighter jets that lit flares in the night sky.
Election Seen as Bid to Legitimize Military Rule
The military’s seizure of power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in February 2021 triggered nationwide protests and an armed uprising, plunging Myanmar into prolonged instability. The junta has repeatedly postponed elections, citing the need to restore order, though critics view the planned vote as an attempt to legitimize military rule through a controlled electoral process.
In his speech, Min Aung Hlaing defended the coup, repeating claims of fraud in the 2020 election—which Suu Kyi’s party won in a landslide—and vowing to hold a "free and fair" vote before transferring power. During a visit to Belarus earlier this month, he announced that 53 political parties had registered to participate.
International Skepticism Over Election Plans
The junta’s election timeline has drawn skepticism from the international community. Last week, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya expressed "serious concern" during a parliamentary session, warning that holding elections without political progress—including the release of detainees like Aung San Suu Kyi and inclusive dialogue—would only deepen unrest.
“Holding national elections under current conditions risks further resistance from the Myanmar people and makes a peaceful resolution more difficult,” Iwaya said in response to an opposition lawmaker’s question.
Analysts say the military’s election plan is unlikely to ease the crisis, as opposition groups and much of the public reject the junta’s authority. With armed conflict raging across multiple regions, the feasibility of a credible vote remains in doubt.