Myanmar’s military junta announced the end of the state of emergency on Thursday, a measure in place since the February 2021 coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government.

The move is intended to pave the way for elections slated for December, though ongoing conflict and opposition boycotts cast doubt on the process.

The emergency decree had given junta leader Min Aung Hlaing sweeping control over Myanmar’s government branches. With its lifting, power formally returns to the head of state, a role Min Aung Hlaing continues to hold as acting president. Speaking at an honorary ceremony in Naypyidaw, he described the transition as moving to “the second chapter” of the junta’s rule, according to state media.

The junta claims preparations for the December vote are underway, including political party registrations and training on electronic voting machines, as reported by the Global New Light of Myanmar. However, opposition groups, including lawmakers deposed in the coup, have pledged to boycott the polls, labeling them illegitimate. A UN expert recently called the planned elections “a fraud” to entrench military rule.

Myanmar’s 2020 election, won overwhelmingly by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, was annulled by the military over unsubstantiated claims of fraud. Suu Kyi and other leaders remain imprisoned.

Significant hurdles loom for the elections. A 2024 census failed to account for 19 million of Myanmar’s 51 million citizens due to security issues, raising concerns about voter inclusion. Resistance forces are expected to intensify attacks during the election period to undermine the process. In response, the junta is offering cash incentives to fighters who disarm and “return to the legal fold.”

China, a key junta ally, expressed support, urging Myanmar’s factions to resolve differences “through political means under the constitutional and legal framework.” Meanwhile, a new law imposes up to 10 years in prison for speech or protests deemed to disrupt the electoral process, signaling tighter control over dissent.

Analysts suggest Min Aung Hlaing will maintain dominance, whether as president or military chief, regardless of the election’s outcome, solidifying his grip on Myanmar amid ongoing unrest. (ILKHA)