[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Myanmar military has postponed the general election and the lifting of the state of emergency until August 2023. Analysts interpret this as the military beginning to implement a long-term ruling scenario in earnest.
According to Myanmar Now and foreign media on the 2nd, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, marking six months since the coup, stated in a TV speech the day before, "We will lift the state of emergency and definitely hold general elections by August 2023." This officially confirms that the military will extend the emergency rule period from the initially announced one year immediately after the coup to at least two years and six months.
Senior General Hlaing said, "We will fulfill the provisions of the state of emergency by August 2023," and "We promise to definitely conduct multi-party elections."
The State Administration Council (SAC), the highest military governing body, issued a separate statement calling itself a transitional government and announced that Commander Hlaing would serve as Prime Minister.
This breach of promise by the military was anticipated early on. Immediately after the coup on February 1, they said the state of emergency would last one year and that elections would be held right after, but after about two months, their true intentions became clear. Major General Zaw Min Tun, a military regime spokesperson, said at a press conference in early April, "The general election must be held within two years."
Marking six months since the coup, the military extended the period again. Both the military regime spokesperson and Commander Hlaing cited the need for a preparation period for free and fair elections as the reason.
However, Myanmar experts believe it is uncertain whether the military regime will hold the general election by August 2023 as promised, and even if elections are held, it will be difficult for them to be free and fair.
Chan Lian, director of the election monitoring group Honvil Organization in Yangon, told Voice of America (VOA) that it seems unlikely the general election will be held within the next two years.
Director Lian said, "We can only believe it when the election date is announced," and predicted, "Even if the election is held, very few parties will participate."
A Myanmar political analyst argued, "Commander Hlaing's message and the military government's announcement suggest the military's plan for long-term rule." He added, "It is certain that the military intends to hold power for a long time under the guise of a government."
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