The 2025 election is being conducted by the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces), and therefore it is guaranteed to be a free and fair election, with no tolerance for damage to its reputation, Acting President and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said.

He made these remarks while responding to questions from the media after casting his vote today (December 28) at Polling Station No. (1) in Anawrahta Ward, Zeyathiri Township, Nay Pyi Taw, for Phase (1) of the multi-party democratic general election.

“If you look at today’s voting, you will understand. There are also preparatory stages ahead of voting, including the pre-election period. You can see the activities of political parties, the actions of administrative bodies, and the work of the Election Commission. Even today, after voting is completed, the results will emerge in the evening. Only then can it be said whether the election is free and fair or not. We have guaranteed that it will be a free and fair election. It is conducted by the Tatmadaw, and we will not allow our name to be tarnished,” said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

He added that the 2020 general election had been a major disgrace internationally and had gone very badly. He said he personally examined the voter lists and, because the situation was impossible to accept or understand, it ultimately led to the current circumstances.

“The 2020 election severely damaged the country’s reputation. It was extremely bad and became an international embarrassment. Some people pretend not to know, but I personally checked and I know the truth. It was truly very serious, and because it was impossible to accept, the situation reached this point. That is why I want people to observe the outcomes. There will be voting today, again on January 18, and again on January 25 — three times in total. Watch those, and only then make your judgment,” he said.

Regarding questions about his role in the political landscape after the election and whether he would become president, he responded: “I am the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and a state official. I cannot say that I want to do this or that. I am not the leader of a political party. When the parliament is convened, there will be procedures within parliament for selecting the president. They will carry that out, and only then would it be appropriate for us to comment,” Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said.

Phase (1) of the 2025 multi-party democratic general election is being held on December 28 across 102 townships, with all eight townships in Nay Pyi Taw included in Phase (1).