Myanmar parliament to hold vote to elect president on Friday
Myanmar’s parliament is scheduled to elect a new president on Friday through a joint session of both houses, marking a significant political step following recent elections widely criticised by the international community. The announcement was made by lower house speaker Aung Lin Dwe during proceedings broadcast on state media.
Among the leading candidates is Min Aung Hlaing, the former army chief who led the 2021 coup that removed the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The 69-year-old stepped down earlier this week after more than a decade at the helm of the military, positioning himself for a formal political role.
Under Myanmar’s constitutional framework, three vice-presidential nominees—one each from the lower house, upper house and military bloc—will compete in a combined parliamentary vote. Lawmakers, including military-appointed representatives who hold a constitutionally guaranteed share of seats, will choose one of the candidates as president.
The vote follows elections held in December and January, in which the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party secured a dominant position. The polls were conducted amid ongoing conflict and political repression, with opposition parties largely excluded and many leaders detained.
Since the 2021 coup, Myanmar has faced widespread unrest, armed resistance and a deepening humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced and economic conditions deteriorating. Observers say the upcoming presidential vote is likely to consolidate military influence within a civilian-style administration.
While authorities describe the process as a transition toward stability, critics argue it risks entrenching military rule further, raising concerns about democratic governance and prospects for national reconciliation.
.png "Advertisement")
