Yangon, August (2)
Political analysts and veteran politicians have criticized the military council’s extension of the state of emergency as an attempt to retain power.
The military council, which deposed the elected government and seized power, announced on July 31 that the state of emergency had been extended by six months.
The military council held a meeting of the National Defense and Security Council and unanimously decided to extend the state of emergency by six months in accordance with Article 425 of the Constitution.
U Than Soe Naing, a political analyst, noted that this move is an attempt to establish a civilian government in their favor, with elections being held in 2023.
U Than Soe Naing added that “The military council will make necessary amendments to the 2008 constitution in 2023 and try to bring the civilian government in their favor to power. General Min Aung Hlaing will appoint someone he trusts as the head of the military, a move aimed at continuing to rule the country as the president.”
The 2008 constitution states that the military council can declare a state of emergency for one year and extend it for another six months twice if necessary.
This is the last extension of the state of emergency by the military council that annulled the results of the 2020 general election and took power, and it will expire on February 1, 2023.
Dr. Sai Kyi Zin Soe, a political analyst, noted that the extension of the emergency rule is an attempt to maintain a position in which the military can engage in politics.
General Min Aung Hlaing said that the emergency rule had to be extended because it was necessary to take time to hold a nationwide general election.
The regime’s Union Election Commission has always said in press conferences that after the state of emergency, a free and fair election will be held under the proportional representation (PR) system in 2023.
U Bo Bo Oo, vice chairman of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in San Chaung Township, told Than Lwin Times that “It’s like a silly joke that a new election will be held under a junta-appointed illegal election commission. This is disrespectful to the international community as well as the people of Myanmar. I want to tell the military council that they must only recognize the results of the 2020 election, which the people unanimously voted for. “
There is ongoing fighting between the junta armed forces and ethnic armed organizations, including People’s Defense Forces, across the country, with frequent guerrilla attacks taking place.
The veteran politician expressed his opinion that “the elections that will be held under the PR system will only strengthen the military dictatorship. If they overcome this crisis by using elections as an escape without solving the political issues through political means, the problems will remain. The situation will get worse.”
The National Unity Government (NUG) has called on political parties not to engage in 2023 general election, which is the escape of the dictators, and to oppose actions that will delay the people’s revolution.
News – Than Lwin Times
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