Min Aung Hlaing vows to hold Myanmar election ‘by any means’ to secure 50 percent of parliamentary seats

Mizzima

Myanmar’s military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has pledged to hold an election “by any means necessary” to ensure that at least half of the country’s parliamentary seats are filled. He made the remarks during a meeting on 12 August, according to junta-controlled newspapers published the following day.

The junta chief stressed that Myanmar’s election law does not require a minimum voter turnout for the poll to be valid. He cited examples of countries where voter turnout falls below 50 percent, though most see participation above that level.

Under current parliamentary procedures, a session is valid if more than half of eligible representatives attend the first sitting, while the second sitting requires at least one-third attendance. Min Aung Hlaing said the regime intends to hold elections in as many townships as possible to meet the 50 percent benchmark.

The 2008 Constitution, which the junta continues to uphold, provides for a maximum of 440 seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw and 224 in the Amyotha Hluttaw, with 25 percent of seats in each chamber reserved as unelected seats for the military.

The junta, which seized power citing alleged voter list irregularities, plans to conduct the vote in stages starting in the third and fourth weeks of December 2025, and continuing in the first and second weeks of January 2026.

The National Unity Government (NUG) and other resistance forces have vowed not to recognize the polls, while observers warn the process will lack legitimacy and could escalate the ongoing conflict.