Nay Pyi Taw – June 25:
Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has cautioned that any continuation of armed struggle after the upcoming elections would mark a deviation from the democratic path. He made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the Peace Forum 2025 held in Nay Pyi Taw on June 25.
He emphasized that as a new parliament is formed following the elections, the country will have the opportunity to advance along the democratic trajectory. However, choosing to resort to arms, pursuing ethnic or regional agendas through force, and prioritizing individual group interests over national consensus would indicate a clear departure from democratic norms.
“When parliament is formed and we have a chance to walk the democratic path we aspire to, resorting to armed conflict, demanding desires through violence, and placing ethnic or regional interests above the nation’s collective will must be recognized as a deviation from democracy,” the Senior General stated. “Such actions do not represent a legitimate path. Aspirations should be addressed and resolved through parliamentary debate and legislative decision-making.”
He reaffirmed the military council’s commitment to holding elections as originally planned and stated that power would be transferred to the newly elected government following the polls.
The Peace Forum 2025, held under the theme “Towards a Peaceful and Prosperous New Nation Through the Integration of Peace, Elections, and Federalism,” will run from June 25 to 27. The forum gathers a diverse range of participants, including ethnic armed groups, influential figures from various sectors, domestic and international scholars and experts, representatives from international non-governmental organizations, local civil society organizations, foreign diplomats, and China’s Special Envoy for Asian Affairs, Deng Xijun.
The military-led State Administration Council has announced its intention to hold a multi-party general election over a one-month period, with potential dates in the third and fourth weeks of December 2025 or the first and second weeks of January 2026.