Myanmar’s third parliament to convene in March following controversial USDP landslide victory

Mizzima

Myanmar’s National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) has officially scheduled the first sessions of the country’s third Parliament to begin in mid-March, signalling the military’s intent to finalize a new government framework by April 2026.

According to the announcement issued on 23 February 2026, the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) will convene at 10:00 am on 16 March, followed by the Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) on 18 March. The first regular sessions for regional and state legislatures are slated to follow on 20 March.

The Pyithu Hluttaw session will be opened by Speaker U T Khun Myat, while the Amyotha Hluttaw session will be convened by NDSC Chief Executive Aung Lin Dwe.

In addition, the first regular sessions of the third regional and state Hluttaws are scheduled to be held on 20 March.

The upcoming sessions follow a three-phase general election held between December 2025 and January 2026, which the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) claimed to have won in a landslide.

The Myanmar junta stated that the Hluttaws are being convened in accordance with Articles 427 and 154(b) of the 2008 Constitution, as well as Article 34(b) of the 2012 Amyotha Hluttaw Law.

Incoming representatives have been instructed to report to Naypyidaw as early as 10 March to undergo security screenings and finalize accommodation at designated parliamentary guesthouses.

After talks on 18 February between the junta’s Foreign Minister U Than Swe and Thailand’s foreign minister, Thai officials said Myanmar would appoint a new president, prime minister, and commander-in-chief before the Thingyan festival in mid-April.

However, the election and parliamentary process taking place amid ongoing armed conflict and the displacement of millions of people, has been criticized by revolutionary forces and the international community as an attempt to legitimize power without reflecting the will of the people.