Myanmar's Military Extends State of Emergency, Breaking Promised Elections and Fueling Violence

Myanmar's military-controlled government has extended the state of emergency that it imposed after the coup in 2021, further postponing the promised elections. The military cited ongoing violence as the reason for the election delay, stating that necessary security arrangements are still needed for a free and fair election.

This announcement is seen as an admission that the military does not have enough control to stage the polls and has failed to subdue the opposition to its rule. The state of emergency, which allows the military to assume all government functions, was originally declared when elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other officials were arrested.

The military has claimed widespread fraud in the previous election, which returned the National League for Democracy to power. The military's crackdown on dissent has led to thousands of deaths and arrests, and the United States has condemned the extension of the state of emergency, warning that it will only lead to more violence and instability.