Myanmar junta pledges new elections, power handover

HANOI – Myanmar’s military yesterday promised to hold fresh elections and relinquish power, and denied the conduct of a coup.

The military also alleged that the current wave of domestic demonstration contains acts of violence, reported Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

At its first press conference since February 1 when power was handed over to the State Administration Council led by its chairman, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Min Aung Hlaing, council spokesman Zaw Min Tun said the military will not stay in power for a long time and it plans to hold elections to transfer power to the winner.

During that time, Myanmar’s foreign policy does not change. Myanmar still opens its doors to businesses and adheres to international agreements, he said. However, a date for the election has not been announced.

Zaw Min Tun said the prosecution process of President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi will take place in accordance with the law, adding that the two are in good health and detained in safe places.

He noted that there are some affairs that need to be addressed by legal action and the council will not do anything that goes beyond the law.

Win Myint and Suu Kyi, along with other officials from the National League for Democracy (NLD), were detained by the military on February 1. A one-year state of emergency was declared in Myanmar after that.

Previously, the military had alleged that there was massive voting fraud in the country’s November 2020 general elections, which saw the NLD win a majority of seats in both houses of parliament. However, Myanmar’s Union Election Commission dismissed the allegation.

The State Administration Council has reformed the Union Election Commission, taking steps to review the process of the general elections. – Bernama, February 17, 2021