Junta lifts emergency in Myanmar, forms new body for elections

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – The military junta in Myanmar on Thursday announced a new body to hold general elections later this year, effectively ending the state of emergency, state media reported.

Junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing also appointed himself as acting president while issuing a decree to dissolve the National Defense and Security Council in the Southeast Asian nation, which has been under military rule since February 2021.

The council was formed in the aftermath of the coup, which overthrew the government of the National League for Democracy, and the nation has been under a state of emergency for the past four years.

It effectively ends the state of emergency in the Buddhist-majority nation as the junta formed a National Security and Peace Commission, which will be led by Min Aung.

He also announced the formation of a new government, which will be led by U Nyo Saw, a trusted lieutenant of the junta chief.

“The upcoming election will be held this December, and efforts will be made to enable all eligible voters to cast their ballots,” the junta chief told a ceremony on Wednesday in capital Nay Pyi Taw.

According to the Myanmar Now website, Min Aung has appointed himself Myanmar’s acting president ahead of the planned elections.