Sat Mar 08 04:40:30 UTC 2025: ## Myanmar Junta Sets Election Date Amidst Ongoing Conflict
**Yangon, Myanmar –** Myanmar’s military regime has announced plans to hold a general election in December 2025 or January 2026, according to state media. The announcement, made by junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during a visit to Belarus, offers the first concrete timeframe for elections repeatedly promised since the military coup in February 2021.
The coup, which ousted the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, triggered widespread protests and armed resistance across the country. Despite the ongoing conflict, which has displaced over 3.5 million people and crippled the economy, General Min Aung Hlaing claims the election will be “free and fair.” He stated that 53 political parties have registered to participate.
However, the election’s legitimacy is widely questioned. Dozens of political parties have been banned, and the military’s control is significantly diminished in large swathes of the country. A recently published census report reveals that voter lists could only be fully compiled in 145 out of 330 townships. Critics fear the election is merely a sham to maintain the military’s grip on power through proxy candidates.
The upcoming election also raises concerns about increased violence as both the junta and opposition groups strive for territorial control. The conflict continues to devastate Myanmar, leaving millions displaced and the economy in ruins.
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