On Wednesday Myanmar’s military government extended a state of emergency on for another six months, according to the media reports. The military-controlled National Defence and Security Council extended emergency rule to give the junta more time to put together population data for voter lists. The junta has said it will hold elections next year.
The military put the country under emergency rule for a year when it took power in a February 2021 coup, deposing the elected civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi and triggering nationwide street protests that it violently crushed. The junta has since extended the emergency rule every six months, as the protest movement morphed into an armed rebellion that has widened and is now posing an existential threat to the generals.
It is necessary to restore peace and stability because of ongoing terrorist activities. Last week, all responsibilities of Myanmar’s figurehead president were handed over to junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, after the nominal head of state was placed on medical leave due to a prolonged illness.
Min Aung Hlaing has repeatedly promised to hold a multi-party election, with the general saying in June that polls will be conducted in 2025.
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