Myanmar Junta Ends Emergency Rule, Announces December Elections Amid Global Scrutiny

Myanmar’s military junta has officially lifted the state of emergency it imposed following its 2021 coup, announcing that long-delayed national elections will finally be held in December 2025. Military leader Min Aung Hlaing remains in control of both the presidency and armed forces, and will now oversee an 11-member election commission formed by the junta. But critics warn that the polls could serve to entrench authoritarian rule under the guise of democracy. Pro-democracy groups, including those ousted during the coup, are calling the vote a fraud and have vowed to boycott. The announcement comes amid deepening conflict, ongoing resistance, and a China-backed call for peaceful political reconciliation.