Four years ago in February 2021, Myanmar politics grabbed headlines all over the world as the military deposed civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi and declared the state of emergency, sparking a civil war. Now, in a turn of events, emergency has been lifted in the Asian country and an interim government formed.
Since the military seized power on February 1, 2021, at least 5,350 civilians have been killed, and more than 3.3 million displaced, the UN human rights office OHCHR report issued in September 2024 said. Further, over half the population is living below the poverty line.
In a big political shift in the crisis-hit country now, Myanmar’s military government on Thursday (July 31) declared that the state of emergency is being finally ending, and there would be a restructuring of administrative bodies to prepare for the new election at the end of the year.
Myanmar civil war: What is the latest administrative restructuring?
Transferring power to a civilian-led interim government, Myanmar’s military junta has announced the formation of a 11-member commission led by Min Aung Hlaing to hold an election. Till then Aung Hlaing will continue to effectively remain in charge of the country, in his capacity as the interim president.
Under the current restructuring in Myanmar, head of the military government Aung Hlaing is giving up two posts but will stay at the center of power as acting president.
When will elections be held in Myanmar?
Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun in a voice message shared with reporters said that “Elections will be held within six months,” adding that the interim president (Aung Hlaing) and commander in chief said this upcoming six months are the time to prepare and host the election.
While elections have been announced, the situation is not all hunky dory as the polls face serious obstacles, including a civil war raging over most of the country. Additionally, several opponents have also vowed to derail the election because they believe it can be neither free nor fair.
Just last month, a UN expert dismissed these polls as a “fraud” beung conducted to legitimise the military’s continuing rule.
Myanmar military’s new law: A legal way to shut opponents?
Earlier this week, the military government in the crisis-hit country announced the enactment of a new law dictating prison sentences up to 10 years for speech or protests aiming to “destroy a part of the electoral process”. This means anyone who speaks, organises, incites, protests to disrupt any part of the electoral process can be punished with three to 10 years imprisonment.
It further adds that anyone who threatens, obstructs, abuses or severely hurts election commission staff, candidates or voters could be sentenced to three years to life in prison.