A plan has been set to hold the election in the third or fourth week of December this year or in the first or second week of January next year.

SENIOR General Min Aung Hlaing recounted the election was not held once due to internal conflicts in the parliamentary democratic era in Myanmar history.

Chairman of the State Adminis­tration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered a speech at the SAC meeting at his office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.

The Senior General conveyed that he paid official State visits to the Rus­sian Federation and the Republic of Belarus in the first week of March. In the meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he could promote eco­nomic and defence cooperation and discuss the internal peace process of Myanmar, and efforts to implement the multiparty democracy. Moreover, both countries signed agreements on invest­ment in businesses. He also met officials from Hluttaws and discussed sending Myanmar delegations to Hluttaws of Russia. In the meeting with regional authorities, he talked about economic cooperation, tourism development, sci­ence and technological cooperation and cooperation in aerospace technology.

While in Belarus, the Senior Gen­eral continued his experiences, saying that he talked with Belarusian Presi­dent Alexander Lukashenko and agreed on science and technological cooper­ation, enhancement of cooperation in agro-based industries, medicine and pharmaceutical production, education, dairy products and other sectors. The official State visits to Russia and Bela­rus achieved notable success.

He continued that preparations are being made to hold a free and fair multiparty democratic general elec­tion. Hence, a plan has been set to hold the election in the third or fourth week of December this year or in the first or second week of January next year. Due to past experiences, preparations are being made to use the electronic voting machine system in which it is not easy to commit voting frauds de­spite expensiveness. The electoral law mentioned that the election shall be held within a single day and the public holiday as much as possible. Moreover, it mentioned that the announcement for the election must be declared in advance. So, it means no limit for hold­ing the election. The election was not held once due to internal conflicts in the parliamentary democratic era in Myanmar history. The Senior General urged all to consider casting advance votes. The election must be completed in the coming January successfully.

Those who will participate in the election must understand that Hluttaw prioritizes legisla­tive measures that trilaterally control executive and judicial powers.

In 2025 and beyond, Myan­mar will face tremendous chal­lenges in the political sector. As the country is located between two powerful countries, it is a geographical challenge. Hence, everybody needs to understand Myanmar has many political and geographical challenges.

A plan is underway to estab­lish polytechnic institutes which will admit the students who do not pass the matriculation ex­amination. The first institute will emerge in Nay Pyi Taw. Similar institutes in regions and states will conduct the one-year course and yearwise courses in the coming academic year.

In his speech, the Senior General highlighted: “It is my clarification about the potential for human resources related to the education sector beyond 2025. The education sector must be reformed compulsorily. We see some weaknesses in the education sector. No one can deny consequence of weak ed­ucation can affect other sectors. We have to improve the edu­cation sector. So, people have to encourage their children to pursue education, do not disturb education measures, and they have to emphasize educational development of their children, nation-building tasks and devel­opment of human resources we aspire to”.

More than 220,000 students sat for the matriculation exam­ination in the 2024-25 academ­ic year, and it was the largest amount from 2021-22 AY. So, ef­forts must be made to increase the number of candidates for the matriculation examination next year.

The Senior General under­scored that if the country pro­duces advanced rubber prod­ucts, it will be beneficial for the country’s business. Neighbour­ing countries of Myanmar are populous. They need footwear, tyres and tubes made of rubber. So, the production can be oper­ated with internal and external investments.

The Senior General pointed out the manufacturing of prod­ucts made of cotton, leather and marine products. Moreover, he instructed all to make efforts for the export of agriculture and livestock products based on market demands.

The country faced more than US$8 billion of income de­crease due to a lack of meet­ing the target production of 10 major crops. If such an amount is added with a loss in double cropping, the loss will be more than US$19 billion.

Council members and the Joint Secretary discussed hold­ing a free and fair election, activ­ities of the Union Election Com­mission to be aligned with the legal process, announcements for people to know the electoral system, voting techniques and criteria of eligible voters, clearly combatting terrorists in Kayah State, construction of low-cost houses for the people who lost houses in terror acts, enhance­ment of capacity of ward and village administrators to suc­cessfully hold the election, pro­duction of konjac value-added products in Chin State, crite­ria for casting advance votes, holding of traditional Myanmar Thingyan festival at the national level, and raising awareness for Myanmar Thanaka.

The SAC Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister ex­plained the need to verify voter lists, participate in political par­ties in the election under the law, and summon people’s military servants under the law.

In concluding remarks, the Senior General revealed that the FPTP (First Past The Post) will be implemented in the elec­tion in addition to the PR system for the Amyotha Hluttaw and re­gional Hluttaw. Advance voting should not harm the election. Political parties will be allowed for nine-month preparations for the election.

All Myanmar citizens are responsible for the development of the nation. It is necessary to emphasize security measures during the preparation period of the election.

The meeting was also at­tended by Secretary General Aung Lin Dwe, Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo and officials. — MNA/TTA