Myanmar junta is planning an election in December or January

As per state media reports, Myanmar military government declared the general election timings, scheduled for December 2025 or January 2026. For the first time, the junta has given a clear timeframe relating to long-promised polls since the country fell into crisis in 2021, the country’s military government announced today.

Myanmar has been a war zone since the military government kicked out the civilian-led government presided over by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The coup ignited mass protests, which later transformed into armed rebellion directed against the junta. The military is now struggling to hold its control over the country as forces for democracy continue to fight on.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the junta’s head, was adamant that there would be elections. Even though, all the government’s proclamations have been to extend the state of emergency, which raises questions regarding whether the election will be free and fair. Most critics believe the elections will only keep the military in power through proxy candidates.

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Opposition political parties have been prohibited from operating, and much of the country has gone beyond the military’s control. Nonetheless, Min Aung Hlaing, on a visit to Belarus, renewed his endorsement of the elections, saying:

“We plan to hold soon a free and fair election. Fifty-three political parties have already submitted their lists to participate.”

“We plan to conduct a free and fair election soon, have reported 53 political parties have already listed to join.”

But many people are greatly skeptical about this. The military could conduct a census only in 145 out of Myanmar’s 330 townships, raising doubts about voters’ registration and the fairness of the election.