The Tatmadaw has clearly announced that upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair multiparty democratic elections will be held in line with the 2008 Constitution, and further work will be undertaken to hand over State duties to the winning party in accordance with democratic standards, said Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Vice Chairman of State Administration Council (SAC), Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services, Commander-in-Chief (Army) at the graduation ceremony of the 125th Intake of Defence Services (Army) Officers Training School (Bahtoo) held on April 6.

The Tatmadaw earnestly helped hold the general elections successfully in 2010 and 2015 and ensure they were free and fair for the emergence of a good and clean government selected by the people whose ultimate aims is to take a multi-party democracy path. But as you already know, there was reaction to the vote rigging in the general election held on November 8, 2020. And even they attempted to grab power unfairly. To prevent any deviation from the disciplined multi-party democracy, the Tatmadaw took control of the country in accord with the emergency provision of the 2008 constitution, said the Vice-Senior General.

Then, the State Administration Council was formed with military members and civilians, and the five-point roadmap and nine political, economic and social objectives were adopted. The Tatmadaw has clearly announced that upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair multiparty democratic elections will be held in line with the 2008 Constitution, and further work will be undertaken to hand over State duties to the winning party in accordance with democratic standards, said the Vice-Senior General.

After takeover of the country on 1 February 2021, peaceful protests emerged after 3 February. But they turned to riots, violence, explosions and brutal killings at various outside instigations. The Tatmadaw exercised utmost restraint and handled the situation with least action. Then, martial law was inevitably imposed in six townships of Yangon Region, he said.

At present, we are witnessing some foreign countries and local terrorist organizations are making various means to incite and cause dissension between the state and the military. Every member of the Armed Forces is serving the country with their own desire and a noble spirit who wants to protect the State and the people, so he or she must carry out his / her duties with high confidence. No matter how many opposition groups attack us, we must faithfully and courageously face the spirit of patriotism, comradeship and the spirit of upholding the traditions of the Tatmadaw, said the Vice-Senior General.