Myanmar's Parliament Begins Presidential Election Process
Myanmar's Parliament commenced the process of electing the country's next president on Monday, a move that nominally signals a return to an elected government after five years of military rule. However, this transition is widely viewed as an effort to consolidate power within the military's grasp, rather than a genuine shift toward democracy.
Military-Led Transition Underway
The election process began on the same day that Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military-led government, announced he was relinquishing his concurrent role as the military's commander-in-chief. This step is a constitutional prerequisite for becoming head of state, as Myanmar's Constitution prohibits the president from holding the top military position simultaneously.
Min Aung Hlaing is among three nominees contending for the presidency, and he is virtually certain to secure the position. This is due to the commanding majority held in Parliament by lawmakers from military-backed parties and appointed military members, who control a quarter of the legislative seats.
Election Timeline and Procedure
A new president could be named by the end of this week. The Lower House, Upper House, and military bloc each have the authority to propose a nominee, formally for vice president. Min Aung Hlaing was one of two candidates put forward by the Lower House, while the Upper House offered two relatively unknown candidates. The military has not yet announced its choices.
Once each group finalizes a single nominee and their credentials are verified by a review committee, the 586-member legislature will vote. The candidate with the highest number of votes will become president, with the other two serving as vice presidents. Although the exact timing remains unclear, the vote could occur as early as Thursday.
Historical Context of Military Rule
Myanmar has a long history of military dominance, with the country under military rule from 1962 until 2016. That year, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party came to power after a landslide victory in the 2015 election. The party won an even greater mandate in the 2020 general election, but the army seized power before the new Parliament could convene in February 2021.
Parliament's current members were elected in three phases of voting held in December and January. Opponents of military rule have charged that these polls were unfair, designed to legitimize military control after the ousting of Suu Kyi's elected government.
Ongoing Civil Conflict and Opposition
Peaceful protests against military rule were met with deadly force, leading pro-democracy activists to turn to armed resistance. They have allied with ethnic minority groups who have long fought for greater autonomy, resulting in much of the country being enmeshed in a brutal civil war. Security concerns meant that voting in the recent election could only be held in 263 of Myanmar's 330 townships.
Major opposition parties, including Suu Kyi's former ruling National League for Democracy, were either blocked from running in the recent election or refused to compete under conditions they deemed unfair. Suu Kyi, Myanmar's 80-year-old former leader, is serving a 27-year prison term on charges widely viewed as spurious and politically motivated. Her party was forced to dissolve in 2023 after refusing to register under new military rules.
Min Aung Hlaing's Power and Profile
Min Aung Hlaing has led Myanmar's military since 2011, retaining broad political powers under the 2008 military-drafted constitution. His international profile rose after a 2017 campaign of repression against the Rohingya Muslim ethnic minority, which drove hundreds of thousands into Bangladesh amid alleged atrocities.
State-run MRTV television reported that the 69-year-old Min Aung Hlaing transferred command of the military on Monday to his close aide, General Ye Win Oo, in a ceremony in the capital, Naypyitaw. Ye Win Oo, 60, previously served as secretary of the ruling State Administration Council and the State Security and Peace Commission, established after the army takeover.
This presidential election marks a critical juncture in Myanmar's political landscape, but with the military's entrenched influence, it is unlikely to herald a significant shift toward genuine democratic governance.
