Myanmar’s military government announced Thursday that it has ended the state of emergency imposed after the 2021 coup, paving the way for elections expected to take place in December and January.
The military also reported the establishment of a caretaker administration, along with a special commission tasked with overseeing the upcoming vote.
“The state of emergency is abolished today in order for the country to hold elections on the path to a multiparty democracy,” military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun said in a message to reporters. He added that elections would be held within six months.
Just hours later, however, Myanmar’s state television reported that martial law and a renewed state of emergency would be imposed in nine of the country’s 14 regions and states, citing threats of armed violence and rebellion.
Critics said the recent move is unlikely to bring meaningful change to Myanmar’s political landscape. Although Min Aung Hlaing, who led the coup, is relinquishing two positions under the new administrative structure, he remains in power as acting president.
“We have already passed the first chapter,” Min Aung Hlaing told members of the military government’s administration council during what The Global New Light of Myanmar described as an “honorary ceremony” for its members. “Now, we are starting the second chapter,” he added.
The military seized power in February 2021, ousting Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government based on allegations of electoral fraud in the 2020 general election.
The coup sparked a nationwide conflict that has killed and displaced thousands. Suu Kyi and senior leaders of her National League for Democracy (NLD) remain imprisoned.
Opposition groups have denounced the planned election as a sham designed to solidify the military’s hold on power. According to reports, the NLD has been barred from participating, and many opposition groups are refusing to take part in the upcoming vote.
According to a Reuters report, David Mathieson, an independent analyst focused on Myanmar, described the leadership reshuffle as purely symbolic and unlikely to ease repression.
“They are just rearranging the same pieces and calling the regime a new name,” he said. “This is part of preparations for an election which we don’t know much about.”
