The Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, stated that the election is planned to be held in the third and fourth weeks of December this year, as well as the first and second weeks of January 2026. He emphasized the need for the election to be successfully completed within January.

He made an address at the SAC meeting at his office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.

the Senior General stated that preparations are underway to hold a free and fair multi-party general election. He mentioned that although the SAC had initially planned to hold elections within its first two years in power, the impact of the post-COVID-19 period and the need for stability prevented the elections from taking place.

To ensure accurate voter lists, Myanmar conducted a nationwide population and housing census in 2024. While data collection was completed in some townships, certain areas remain incomplete due to various challenges. Based on the collected data, a list of eligible voters aged 18 and above has been compiled. The election is tentatively scheduled for the third and fourth weeks of December 2024 and the first and second weeks of January 2026.

Referring to previous elections, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing pointed out that fraudulent activities, such as illegal advance voting, ballot-stuffing, and unauthorized directives, had led to voter list inaccuracies. To prevent electoral fraud, Myanmar is studying international election practices and is preparing to implement an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) system, which is both cost-effective and secure.

He emphasized the need for a transparent, fair, and corruption-free election process. While election laws recommend holding elections on a single day, ideally on a public holiday, there are no strict limitations on the timeframe. Historically, elections in Myanmar have been conducted in multiple phases due to internal conflicts.

Priority is being given to ensuring the effectiveness of the election process, particularly in forming the Union Parliament and regional legislatures. The role of regional parliaments is crucial as they are responsible for appointing chief ministers.

With the implementation of EVMs, the voting and result tabulation process will be expedited. The voter list can be finalized within a day or two, and elections in specific townships can be completed within a month. Myanmar is also reviewing international approaches to advance voting. Some countries do not allow advance voting, while in Myanmar, considerations are being made for military personnel, police officers, and citizens legally residing abroad.

The Chairman reaffirmed that regardless of circumstances, the general election must be successfully conducted within January of the upcoming year.