Myanmar junta chief says election to be held by January 2026

Supporters of Myanmar's National League for Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi celebrate in Yangon after the 2020 general election, Nov. 9, 2020. (SHWE PAW MYA TIN/Reuters)

BANGKOK – Myanmar will hold parliamentary elections by January next year, the leader of the ruling military said, without setting a date for a vote that the generals who seized power in 2021 will be hoping will end widespread opposition to their grip on politics.

The junta’s opponents say a vote under the military while the most popular politicians are locked up and their parties banned will be a sham. The junta is in control of only about half the country after significant losses to pro-democracy and ethnic minority insurgents fighting to end military rule.