Political situation in Myanmar

Myanmar junta promises elections – accused of fraud

The military junta in Myanmar announces that it has formed a civilian-led transitional government and that it plans to hold elections in December and January, Reuters reports.

However, the measure is seen as symbolic as junta leader Min Aung Hlaing still retains all power over both the military and the government.

The opposition in the country has either announced that they will boycott the upcoming election, or they have been banned from running.

Myanmar expert David Mathieson says that the election will only be something that is happening for show.

– They are just moving around the same parts and changing the name of the regime. 

State of emergency lifted in Myanmar after 4.5 years

The military junta in Myanmar is lifting the state of emergency that has been in place since the junta seized power in February 2021, AFP reports.

According to the news agency, this is being done to prepare the country for an election in December, which is boycotted by the opposition and criticized by the West and international observers.

According to the 2008 constitution, the military's commander-in-chief must hand over power to the presidential-led military junta if the emergency period ends, the BBC's Myanmar editorial team reports. However, there will be no changes in the top leadership.