Military council leader Min Aung Hlaing has announced that their planned election will only be held in December 2025 or January 2026, marking five years since the military coup. He made this declaration during a press conference following his meeting with the President of Belarus on March 7, while visiting the country. Min Aung Hlaing explicitly stated that they are planning to hold the election at the earliest in December 2025 or January 2026.
According to a military source in Naypyidaw, Min Aung Hlaing plans to serve a full five-year term as the head of the caretaker government. The source revealed that Min Aung Hlaing frequently mentions his good health condition and willingness to continue serving another term if the country requires it. The source also indicated that Min Aung Hlaing intends to remain involved in political processes even after the election. During the press conference in Belarus, the military council leader announced that 53 political parties have already registered to participate in their planned election.
This planned election, however, is understood to be a carefully orchestrated process by the military council that will not reflect the true will and freedom of the people. The military council’s continued extension of their control through such means demonstrates their reluctance to relinquish power, while maintaining a facade of democratic processes. The announcement of this delayed election timeline comes amid ongoing resistance from the people of Myanmar against military rule, with the council continuing to enforce their authority through various means of control and suppression.
