Myanmar Declares Interim Government Before Elections
Myanmar’s military government announced the formation of a civilian-led interim government on July 31, ahead of the country’s upcoming general elections scheduled for December. However, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing remains in full control, retaining his roles as interim president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Commission Formed to Conduct Elections
An eleven-member commission, led by Min Aung Hlaing himself, has been set up to supervise the elections. The move also included the formal cancellation of the emergency decree that had granted sweeping powers to the military since the 2021 coup.
Critics Call It a Political Illusion
Despite the formal transition, the opposition and several international observers have described the changes as cosmetic. They argue that the elections are designed to maintain the military’s grip on power rather than enable genuine democratic reform. No specific date has yet been announced for the December polls.
State of Emergency Formally Ends
The state of emergency, which had been in place since the military overthrew the elected government in February 2021, has now been officially lifted. Control has instead been handed over to a new entity called the State Security and Peace Commission—also headed by Min Aung Hlaing.
Ongoing Conflict and Boycotts
Myanmar continues to experience widespread civil unrest, with thousands killed and tens of thousands detained since the military takeover. Several ethnic armed groups and the opposition National Unity Government have rejected the election process and vowed to boycott it, calling it illegitimate and manipulated.
