Maung Sar Ga, Narinjara News, 27 March 2025 

Junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has declared that the forthcoming election in Myanmar will be held in four phases spanning two months. 

The declaration was issued at a junta meeting in the junta leader's office in Naypyidaw on March 25, per junta-run newspapers released on March 26. 

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing stated that the election will take place in four phases: during the third and fourth weeks of December this year, as well as the first and second weeks of January 2026. 

“The election law specifies that voting should occur on one day, preferably on a public holiday. It also necessitates that the election announcement be made beforehand, indicating that there is no restriction on when the election may take place," he stated. 

He additionally mentioned that the election will occur in stages because of internal disputes, and this approach complies with the law. 

Experienced Arakanese politician and ex-Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Pe Than remarked on the choice to conduct the election in four stages, stating, "Should the election take too much time, the outcomes of the initial stage will influence the later stages. The achievement of the initial phase will influence the subsequent one. That's the reason elections are typically held in a single day“.

This will mark the first occasion in Myanmar's history, following its independence, that elections are scheduled to occur in four stages. 

The previous general election in 1951, within the era of parliamentary democracy, took place in three phases because of internal disputes. 

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing additionally disclosed that the election will utilize the First Past the Post (FPTP) system along with the Proportional Representation (PR) system for the Amyotha Hluttaw and regional Hluttaw. 

U Pe Than expressed his views on the electoral process, stating, "They must conduct the election, which is why they are exploring different possibilities, including the PR system, and trying to postpone the election. It appears that once the election takes place, it’s finished. This may lead to greater damage than benefit. The global community might condemn the election, as it may lack clarity and be fraught with risks.” 

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing also mentioned that preparations are in progress to implement electronic voting machines in the forthcoming election, which he claimed would reduce the possibility of voting fraud. 

The junta further revealed that 54 parties have received approval to register for the election from those that submitted applications to the junta's Union Election Commission (UEC). 

If everything goes according to the junta's plans, the election is expected to take place in approximately nine months. 

In conclusion, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing remarked that substantial challenges will arise in the political sphere in 2025 and thereafter.