Min Aung Hlaing nominated for Myanmar presidency as military leadership reshuffled

Mizzima

Acting President Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was formally nominated as a vice-presidential candidate during a session of the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) on 30 March, 2026, a move that puts him in the position, amongst three vice presidents, to be nominated as president.

The nomination, proposed by military-aligned lawmaker Kyaw Kyaw Htay, marks a pivotal step in the junta leader’s transition from military ruler to a civilian-clothed president.

Alongside the Senior General, the Lower House also nominated Dr. Kyaw Swe, a representative from the National Unity Party, as a second candidate for the vice presidency.

Coinciding with his nomination, a major reshuffle within the Tatmadaw leadership was finalized to comply with constitutional requirements barring a presidential candidate from holding active military command.

In a formal ceremony held at the Zeyathiri Beikman in Naypyidaw, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing officially transferred his command to General Ye Win Oo, the former military intelligence chief, who has now assumed the role of Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services with the rank of Senior General. Simultaneously, General Kyaw Swar Lin, the former Chief of the General Staff, has been promoted to Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, replacing the long-serving Vice-Senior General Soe Win.

In the Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), two additional candidates were nominated for the vice-presidential electoral college. The house proposed Dr. Manam Tu Ja, the chairman of the Kachin State People’s Party and a former vice-chairman of the Kachin Independence Organization, alongside Daw Nan Ni Ni Aye of the Union Solidarity and Development Party. Daw Nan Ni Ni Aye previously served as a national parliamentarian for Kayin State and has a background as a career educator before entering politics.

While these two houses have completed their initial nominations, the specific nominee from the military representative group composed of appointed personnel from both houses has yet to be officially announced.

Under the 2008 Constitution, the three vice presidents will be elected by their respective groups within the Presidential Electoral College: the elected members of the Pyithu Hluttaw, the elected members of the Amyotha Hluttaw, and the military appointees.

Once three vice presidents are confirmed, the entire Union Parliament will convene to select one among them to serve as President, with the remaining two serving as the First and Second Vice Presidents.