Thu Jul 31 07:14:28 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text, formatted as it might appear from The Hindu’s perspective:

**The Hindu: World Affairs**

**Myanmar Junta Ends State of Emergency, Announces December Elections Amidst Opposition Boycott**

**Yangon, July 31, 2025:** Myanmar’s military junta has officially ended the state of emergency imposed after the February 2021 coup, as it prepares to hold elections in December. The move comes despite widespread criticism and a planned boycott by opposition groups, who view the poll as a sham designed to legitimize continued military rule.

The state of emergency, declared when the military ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government, granted supreme power to junta chief Min Aung Hlaing. While he has touted the elections as a step towards resolving the ongoing civil conflict, opposition figures and international observers remain skeptical.

“The state of emergency is abolished today in order for the country to hold elections on the path to a multi-party democracy,” a junta spokesman stated.

Analysts believe Min Aung Hlaing will likely maintain a powerful role, potentially as President or armed forces chief, regardless of the election outcome, effectively extending his control.

In preparation for the vote, the junta has enacted new laws criminalizing speech or protests against the electoral process, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison. However, a recent census revealed significant challenges, failing to collect data from an estimated 19 million of the country’s 51 million people, largely due to security concerns related to the civil war. This raises serious questions about the election’s reach and legitimacy.

Furthermore, the junta has initiated a program offering cash rewards to rebels who disarm and surrender ahead of the elections. Observers predict rebel groups will likely stage offensives in opposition to the vote. The international community is watching the situation closely, with concerns mounting about the fairness and inclusivity of the upcoming elections.

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