oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | armed forces, military, myanmar, politics, politics and government
The head of Myanmar’s military reiterated during an annual Armed Forces Day address his commitment to holding a national election before the year ends. He also urged various opposition factions battling against the armed forces to participate in political parties and engage with the electoral system.
Min Aung Hlaing stated that his military administration was gearing up for an election scheduled for December, with the conduct of the poll contingent upon the varying security situations across different areas of the nation, which frequently experience armed clashes.
He addressed over 7,000 service members gathered in the capital city of Naypyidaw.
Service members carrying rifles came to attention as the general inspected them from an open-backed vehicle.
They proceeded past him in sequence, giving him a salute as combat aircraft zoomed above, releasing flares into the dark evening.
Seizing power
In 2021, a military takeover removed the democratically elected State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi from power, leading to significant backlash. This resulted in large-scale demonstrations and initiated an armed struggle that has brought about widespread unrest across many regions of the nation.
The military junta has stated that holding an election was their main objective; however, they have consistently delayed the scheduled date.
The proposal for a general election is broadly interpreted as an effort to legitimize the military’s takeover of power via democratic means and to produce outcomes that guarantee the armed forces maintain their influence.
During his address, Min Aung Hlaing attempted to rationalize the ousting of Suu Kyi’s democratically elected administration by citing well-worn yet largely refuted claims about its failure to probe alleged irregularities during the November 2020 national elections. He reiterated that his regime would organize “a free and fair election” before transferring authority accordingly.
The nation’s present security scenario, where the military reportedly holds sway over fewer than half of its territories, presents a significant obstacle for conducting elections.
Critics argue that the military-organized election will lack freedom and fairness due to the absence of independent media and the arrest of many key figures from Suu Kyi’s once-popular yet now disbanded National League for Democracy party.
Suu Kyi is currently serving cumulative prison terms totaling 27 years following convictions in multiple cases that many view as politically motivated.
The 80th anniversary of Armed Forces Day commemorates the date in 1945 when the military of Myanmar, formerly called Burma, commenced its battle against the invading Japanese forces that had ousted the British occupiers.
During his trip to Belarus earlier this month, Min Aung Hlaing disclosed the timeline for the election.
He mentioned at that time that 53 political parties had already handed in their lists to take part in the election.
The state media mentioned that he restated the election schedule during an official gathering on Tuesday. However, the reports did not specify if the voting will take place within the final two weeks of December, the initial two weeks of January, or throughout the entire span covering these four weeks.
In a separate report, state-owned MRTV television stated that Min Aung Hlaing has approved pardons for seven foreign inmates, among whom were four Thais incarcerated in the southern seaside town of Kawthaung, set to be expelled from the country.
It is common for prisoner amnesties to be declared on state or religious holidays.
oleh admin | Mar 27, 2025 | armed forces, military, myanmar, politics, politics and government
The head of Myanmar’s military has utilized an address during the annual Armed Forces Day to emphasize intentions of conducting a general election before the year ends and urged opposing factions battling the armed forces to participate in political parties and the voting procedure.
Min Aung Hlaing stated that his military administration plans to conduct an election in December, with the assurance that it will proceed based on the safety circumstances across various areas of the nation, which frequently experience armed clashes.
He addressed over 7,000 military members gathered in the capital city of Naypyidaw.
Servicemen and women carrying rifles came to attention as the general inspected them from an open-backed vehicle at the rear.
They proceeded past him in sequence, giving him a salute as they went, with fighter jets soaring above them, releasing flares into the dark evening.
Seizing power
In 2021, a military takeover removed the democratically chosen State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi from power. This action faced significant backlash, leading to extensive demonstrations and igniting an armed rebellion that has caused many regions across the nation to descend into turmoil.
The military government has stated that holding an election is their main objective; however, they have continually delayed the scheduled date.
The overall strategy for holding a general election is largely perceived as an effort to validate the military’s takeover via voting processes, aiming to produce outcomes that guarantee continued dominance for the armed forces.
In his address, Min Aung Hlaing attempted to rationalize the ousting of Suu Kyi’s democratically elected administration by citing well-worn yet largely refuted claims about its failure to probe alleged discrepancies during the November 2020 national elections. He reiterated that his regime would organize “a clean and impartial vote” before transferring authority thereafter.
The present security scenario in the nation, where the military reportedly holds sway over fewer than half of the regions, presents a significant obstacle for conducting elections.
Critics argue that the military-organized election won’t be free or fair since there’s no access to independent media, and many leaders from Suu Kyi’s well-supported yet disbanded National League for Democracy party remain detained.
Aung San Suu Kyi is currently facing imprisonment for a total of 27 years after being found guilty in multiple cases that many believe were driven by political intentions.
The 80th anniversary of Armed Forces Day commemorates the date in 1945 when the military of Myanmar, formerly called Burma, started their battle against the occupying Japanese forces that had seized control following the expulsion of the British.
During his trip to Belarus earlier this month, Min Aung Hlaing disclosed the timeline for the election.
He mentioned at that time that 53 political parties had already handed over their lists to take part in the elections.
The state media mentioned that he restated the election plans during an official gathering on Tuesday. However, the reports did not clearly specify if the voting will take place within the final two weeks of December, the initial two weeks of January, or throughout the entire span covering these four weeks.
In a separate report, state-owned MRTV television stated that Min Aung Hlaing had approved amnesty for seven foreign inmates, among whom were four Thais imprisoned in the southern coastal town of Kawthaung; these individuals will be sent back to their home country.
It is common for prisoner amnesties to be declared on state or religious holidays.
