UEC announces national election to be Held in November 2025

 Maung Sar Ga, Narinjara News, 26 August 2024

Myanmar military junta has officially announced that the national election will be conducted in November next year.

U Ko Ko, chairman of Union Election Commission (UEC), made the announcement at a meeting with political parties registered under the junta in Naypyidaw on Saturday.

The junta chief senior general Min Aung Hlaing had earlier stated that he would transfer the power after the election, but  did not specify about the time of polls.

The UEC urged the political parties to prepare for the election so that it can be conducted due on schedule.

The junta previously indicated that a proportional representation (PR) system would be implemented in the upcoming elections. But the 24 August meeting did not specify any electoral system.

Despite the widespread conflict which  is devastating human lives, public & private property across the country, the junta has announced the election timing.

The political analysts, noting that many people are fleeing from their places, do not expect a free and fair elections under the current situation.

"Min Aung Hlaing will push forward with the election with an aim to legitimize his control over the government and presidency. The election is intended to legitimize his position and elect him as the president. So a genuine election is not feasible under his influence," said U Than Soe Naing, a political analyst, while talking to Narinjara News.

UEC chairman U Ko Ko discussed election preparations, including the voter list accuracy and use of electronic voting machines, said the media reports in the junta-owned newspapers on 25 August.

Currently, 49 political parties are registered with the UEC. But the Arakan National Party (ANP), which enjoys significant public support in the Arakan region, was outlawed and denied its registration.

Among the registered parties, nine will conduct nationwide electoral campaigns and the remaining parties will do at regional and state levels. As the junta’s  election is a year and two months away, they are preparing to conduct a population and housing census in the country starting from 1 October (till 15) keeping an eye on the national polls.

Photograph: A young woman from Arakan State voted in the 2020 national election