Senior General affirmscommitment to ensuredignified election
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Htet Nadi (NP News)
The State Administration Council (SAC) is working to ensure that the multi-party democratic general election which is scheduled to be held in December this year is a dignified election, said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the SAC, in his speech at the 80th Armed Forces Day military parade held in Naypyidaw on the evening of March 27.
He said that the SAC has consistently set a five-point roadmap to successfully hold free and fair multi-party democratic elections and to hand over power to the government that emerges from the elections, and that the election will be held within the specified period.
"On behalf of the Tatmadaw, the SAC is making preparations for the election in December this year. The election will be held in accordance with the 2008 Constitution, including the electoral laws and bylaws, and will depend on the security situation in each region, so we are implementing the necessary preparations," said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
He stated, "The ongoing efforts are, in a way, to ensure that all eligible voters have the right to vote, to conduct a truly free and fair multi-party democratic general election that reflects the genuine will of the people, and to hold an election that is dignified and respectable."
He stated, "Therefore, in order to build a democracy and a federal-based union, it is necessary for all citizens to unite, with the spirit of the union as the foundation, to protect and defend the nation. The spirit of the union is the root of past struggles for independence and will also be the cornerstone for the future democratic nation."
He emphasized, "Only with the united strength of all ethnic groups in the Union, working together in harmony and cooperation, will we be able to firmly build the great union based on the democracy and federal system we aim for."
In order to achieve this, ending internal armed conflicts and attaining lasting peace is crucial. The Tatmadaw must carry out the peace process as closely as possible in line with the agreements outlined in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). To realize lasting peace and development alongside the people, and considering the losses suffered by the country, the Tatmadaw has invited ethnic armed organizations, insurgent groups, and terrorist PDF groups fighting against the state to abandon the path of armed violence and resolve political issues through peaceful political means, including party politics and electoral channels.
Therefore, as a political solution can only be found through dialogue and negotiation at the table, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing further emphasized that the Tatmadaw always welcomes and keeps the door open for peace talks.