NAYPYIDAW — Myanmar’s military junta on Thursday formally lifted a four-year state of emergency and announced the formation of a civilian-led interim government ahead of long-promised national elections. Despite the announcement, the country’s military chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, remains in firm control as acting president and commander-in-chief, raising widespread skepticism about the regime’s intent to restore genuine civilian rule.
The decision, reported by state media, cancels the decree that had allowed the military to govern since its February 2021 coup against Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government. An interim administration, alongside a special election commission, has now been tasked with overseeing preparations for elections anticipated to take place between December 2025 and January 2026.
“The next six months will be dedicated to election preparations,” said government spokesperson Zaw Min Tun. However, observers and international analysts have dismissed the move as largely symbolic. “They are just rearranging the same pieces and calling the regime a new name,” said David Mathieson, an independent analyst specializing in Myanmar.
Elections Overshadowed by Conflict and Repression
Myanmar remains mired in civil war, with large swathes of its territory under the control of ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy militias. A nationwide census held by the junta last year was only successfully conducted in 145 out of 330 townships, underscoring the regime’s limited territorial control.
The upcoming elections have been labeled a “sham” by Western governments, who accuse the junta of seeking to entrench its power through a controlled electoral process dominated by military-backed parties. Opposition groups, many of whom are either barred from participating or refuse to legitimize the process, are not expected to take part.
Min Aung Hlaing has confirmed that elections will be held in phases due to security concerns, with martial law and emergency rule extended to more than 60 townships, particularly in restive border areas where the military faces unprecedented armed resistance.
Humanitarian Crisis and International Reactions
Since the 2021 coup, Myanmar’s military has been accused of widespread atrocities, including the killing of over 6,000 civilians and the arbitrary detention of more than 20,000 people. Over 3.5 million citizens are now internally displaced, according to Amnesty International. The junta continues to reject these allegations as “Western disinformation.”
China, Myanmar’s key ally, reiterated its support on Thursday. “China supports Myanmar’s development path in line with its national conditions and its steady advancement of its domestic political agenda,” a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
The military justified its 2021 coup by alleging electoral fraud in the 2020 elections — claims that international election observers have consistently refuted.
As Myanmar moves towards elections under these precarious conditions, few expect the process to deliver political stability or resolve the deep-seated conflict engulfing the nation. (zai)