National Defence and Security Council of the Republic of Union of Myanmar holds meeting 2/2023
NAY PYI TAW July 31
The National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) of the Republic of Union of Myanmar held the meeting 2/2023 at the meeting hall of the State Administration Council Chairman’s Office here this morning.
Present were Pro Tem President U Myint Swe, Vice President U Henry Van Thio, Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U T Khun Myat, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Union Minister for Defence General Mya Tun Oo, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Soe Htut, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, and SAC Secretary Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dway, SAC Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, Union Minister for Legal Affairs Attorney-General Dr Thida Oo, who were specially invited participants.
As regards the accomplishments and future work programs of the SAC during the extended period of six months, the Senior General said amendments and additions were made to the Five point Roadmap and 12 Objectives on 4 February 2023 to become adaptable to current situations and to accelerate national development. Work that had to be carried out in accord with the roadmap had been completed, and to ensure greater speed and effectiveness in implementing the two political tasks -- Efforts will be made to continue cementing the genuine discipline-flourishing multi-party democratic system and building the Union based on democracy and the federal system -- and the two national tasks -- to ensure prosperity and food sufficiency of the country.
The first point of the Roadmap states “An emphasis will be placed on peace and stability and the full prevalence of law and order throughout the Union to ensure the safety of the socio-economic life of the people”. Currently, CRPH, NUG and PDF and some EAOs are committing terrorist attacks in various forms to harm national peace and stability. Tatmadaw launched necessary military operations and ensured the area peace and stability and the rule of law in other areas in accord with the law. Although there is a drop in terrorist attacks when compared with the past, they still exist due to the instigation of NUG terrorist group, some alien interferences that supported terrorism, and terrorist attacks of PDF terrorist group and some EAOs. During the period from 1 February to 30 July 2023, four monks and nuns, 772 innocent persons and 28 civil servants were killed by terrorists. Infrastructure including one health building, 11 religious buildings, 76 homes, 94 bridges, roads and toll gates, 26 power and communication towers were also destroyed by them.
The government is placing special emphasis on the education promotion of citizens. As the higher level of education is the essential part of democracy, SAC’s goal is the higher quality education, school education, technological knowledge that meets educational qualifications, and higher knowledge of the country. On the other side, terrorists are trying to lower the country’s education standard.
Some of the terrorist attacks against the education sector would be discussed.
At the start of academic year 2023-2024, poster threats against enrolment, online threats, physical coercion or abduction of school children could be found. PDF terrorists abducted 21 school boys and 10 school girls totaling 31 from six villages in Paletwa Township, Chin State in early July 2023.
62 students had to flee when terrorists beat teachers and students of agriculture institute (Dawei) on 20 July 2023. They also took together with them the headmistress, an eleven-year child and five teachers.
Terrorists fired heavy and small weapons at schools and launched drop bomb attacks. A novice monk and two students were wounded by shrapnel when terrorists fired a grenade launcher at students taking their final examination in Thunandayama Monastery in Kawlin Township, Sagaing Region, on 13 February 2023.
When terrorists blew up a car carrying students back home from their examination in BEHS (Ayadaw), Ayadaw Township, Sagaing Region on 15 February, one girl student died and 10 other innocent students were wounded by shrapnel. The attacks indicate their intention of disturbing the education process and sinking the nation’s education standard.
Two education staff died and nine buildings were lost due to armed attacks and arson attacks by terrorists during the period from 1 February to 30 July 2023.
As regards the destruction of transport infrastructure, the Senior General said KNPP and PDF terrorists fired at a passenger plane of Myanmar National Airlines of Yangon-Nay Pyi Taw-Loikaw on 30 September 2022 while the plane was touching down at Loikaw Airport. Terrorists blew up Sittaung River Bridge (Natthangwin) on Penwegon- Nanthankwin-Kyaukkyi road in Bago Region on 6 June 2023; Kyoneik Bridge on Yangon-Mawlamyine Union road in Thaton Township, Mon State on 29 June. Some security members, civil servants and innocent people were killed or wounded when terrorists also shot at security forces and officials who came to inspect the damage and the persons repairing the bridges. As terrorists destroyed rails near mile- post 109/20-21 between Kyauktaga and Penwegon stations in Kyauktaga Township, Bago Region on 18 July, the train service was cancelled and repair tasks carried out. A train derailed as rails between Paleikand Sintgai stations in Sintgai Township, Mandalay Region were disconnected by terrorists on 28 July 2023. It was a reckless act to cause the lives of passengers. PDF terrorists blew up a natural gas pipeline near Pauktaw Village, Bilin Township, on 9 March 2023;
and another gas pipeline near Theingon ward in Thaton Township on 10 May. They committed mine attacks against public roads, bridges and railroads 94 times. In fact, they were not attacking the government and security forces, but attacking the public lives and prosperity which amounted to launching terrorist attacks against the entire people. People are afraid of and disgusted at the terrorist attacks committed by the terrorists, and as their socio-economic lives were harmed they are secretly sending information to security forces. Hence more and more terrorists can be exposed and arrested. A total of 1,088 weapons including home-made guns, 77,579 bullets of various types, and 2660 units of assorted ammunition were seized. During the period from 1 February 2021 to 30 July 2023, 18,792 assorted guns, 1,423,224 cartridges and 45,865 units of assorted ammunition were seized. The government marked specific operation areas, declared areas under martial law as and when necessary in accord with law for safety of public lives and peace stability in the entire Union. Because of the terrorist attacks mentioned above, innocent people and civil servants were brutally murdered with inhuman cruelty, and the destruction of national progress and socio-economy have caused extra costs for national development apart from losses. Hence, the entire people must collectively oppose the acts amounting to destroying the country. Military operations and area control activities must be effectively carried out as and when necessary and all must strive for the success of the roadmap.
He said he would like to continue his discussions on the second points of the Five-Point roadmap: People-centred development work that enhances socio-economic well-being will be undertaken to ensure the country’s prosperity and food security. Socio-economic life development plays a key role in peace and stability and development of a country.
The import volume should be reduced as much as possible for economic development of a country while operating manufacturing measures at home at full capacity. It is necessary to transform manufacturing of agricultural produce and livestock products from the conventional system to the modern techniques. Inputs must be effectively used in relevant agricultural measures to cultivate potential crops in relevant regions, manufacture value-added products, choose quality strains of crops, meet the target production and ensure high quality of crops.
Only when the country has boosting production at home, will it fulfill the need of local food security. If so, individual socio-economic life improvement will contribute to prosperity of the State.
The government strives for development of the socio-economic life of the people. Any country must have good economic, political and defence drives. Strong economic drive will help improvement of political and defence drives. Firm business and manufacturing of Myanmar are based on agriculture and livestock farms.It is necessary to encourage MSMEs based on agriculture and livestock farms. As these businesses should be done for the entire people contributing to the development of the State, it is necessary to encourage these businesses. Hence, the SAC Vice-Chairman and himself held meetings 26 times with MSME businesspersons in 26 areas of regions and states and coordinated more than 230 submissions of those businesspersons.
The government considered to enhance agricultural business and economy of regions and states and self-administered regions. Ks-400 billion from the national disaster management bfund was set up as a separate fund for the State economic promotion so as to promote State economy. Moreover, 51 technical, agriculture and livestock high schools were opened in 50 districts from 2023-2024 academic year with the aim of developing MSME businesses, and more schools will be opened in remaining 75 districts in 2024-2025 FY.
As the government is implementing the missions and visions for all-round development of the economy, the country could escape from the downtrend economic situation in 2021-2021 FY. The country secured 3.4 percent of GDP in 2022-2023 FY and sees progress of four percent GDP in 2023-2024 FY. To meet the goal, the government must make more efforts.
With regard to the third point of the five-point Roadmap: Professes will further continue to consolidate a genuine, disciplined multi-party democratic system and build a Union based on democracy and federalism, the Senior General continued his discussions. As the country is marching to the multi-party democratic system in accord with the Constitution (2008), the Tatmadaw has to primarily take responsibilities for safeguarding the genuine, disciplined multi-party democratic system.
The Tatmadaw must prevent any acts harming the Constitution and the multi-party democratic system under the law.
Based on experiences in successive eras, it is necessary to build the Union based on democracy and federalism suitable for Myanmar. The country needs to lead to the Hluttaw process. Hence, the Political Parties Registration Law was enacted on 26 January 2023 for strengthening the multi-party democratic system and emergence of the firm political parties to represent the people. Out of 90 past political parties, 50 political parties applied for establishment of their continuous standing, and remaining 40 parties have not applied for it yet. According to the Section 3 of the Political Parties Registration Law, 13 parties applied for establishment of new political parties till today. Up to 27 July 2023, 30 of 50 old political parties and five of newly-applied parties, totaling 35 have been allowed for registration. Those wishing to set up new political parties can apply for establishment of the political parties under Section 3 of the law. The political parties for continuous standing and new parties have to do many measures. Old parties comprise new ones, and new parties have to operate dissemination of their policies to the people, organize new members and support though organizational measures.In so doing, the government will manage the situations for them to be able to take organizational measures with freedom and without intimidation.
Hence, the government needs to take a period to widely arrange the political process of these parties.
For the fourth point of the roadmap: Priority will be accorded to work aligned with the agreements set out in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, in order to achieve enduring peace for the entire nation, the Senior General highlighted essential measures for restoring peace and stability and rule of law for marching to the democratic system of the nation.
Ethnics of the country do not need to demand their wishes by holding arms but hold talks under the democratic norms.
Hence, it is important for representatives of ethnic people to reach the Hluttaw as the political platform so as to discuss, decide and implement their wishes and aims at relevant Hluttaws.
As such, the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement-NCA was implemented for the armed ethnics to reach the political platforms from the armed struggling line.
NCA is a pledge adopted by the government and the EAOs and international organizations.
The National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee held peace talks with seven NCA signatories and three NCA non-signatories 22 times from 1 February to 27 July 2023. Among NCA signatores, three armed organixations did not attend the peace talks for various reasons. It should be noticeable that these groups can harm peace and stability of the State at any time. Now, they are committing terror attacks.
Arrangements were made to accelerate all peace talks to systematically gather wishes, discussions and decisions of each group in the peace process.
There remain many topics to be discussed on a wider scale, and peace talks must be held more and more. The government always opens the door of peace to ethnic armed organizations which embrace the wish to be a peaceful and developed Myanmar.
The last point of the Five-Point Roadmap of the SAC which mentions: Upon accomplishing the provisions of the state of emergency, free and fair multiparty democratic elections will be held in line with the 2008 Constitution, and further work will be undertaken to hand over state duties to the winning party in accordance with democratic standards. Since the time when the country has been exercising the multi-party democratic system, three general elections were held. The country is formed with 330 townships, and the 2010 election covered 325 townships and 2015 election, 323 townships.
Some controversial measures happened in the 2010 election and the 2015 election, and the Union Election Commissions at that time completely solved these problems.
The 2020 multi-party democracy general elections were held in 315 townships of regions and states of Myanmar with 39,963 polling stations. It was noticeable that number of electionheld townships declined and that election minimized exposing the wishes of the people. The government taking the State duties at that time declared that the election could not be held in 15 townships with the reasons of security. So, ethnic parties from these townships criticized it. Moreover, the UEC released the eligible voter lists which played a key role in the election, and it amounted to 38,271,447 (more than 38.2 million) voters in Myanmar.
According to the statistics of the Ministry of Immigration and Population, there were 31,775,330 (more than 31.7 million) voters across the nation. The General Administration Department released 35,476,833 voters (more than 35.4 million). So, the list of the UEC intentionally exceeded 6.5 million of voters issued by the Ministry of Immigration and Population and 2.8 million than that of the GAD list.
At a time when the voters cast votes, the UEC issued an announcement that 27,512,855 (more than 27.5) voters out of 38,271,447 (more than 38.2 million) voters cast votes, accounting for 71.89 percent. In the time of this government, new Union Election Commission was formed and voter lists were checked. As more than 11.3 million of votes became voting frauds. Hence, it can be assumed that the firm votes amounted to 16.2 million, accounting for 42 percent in comparison with the eligible voters.
There were complaints filed by the contesting parties and CSOs as well as protests among the public willing to see justice.
In terms of the Constitution (2008) or the country’s political history, it is the Tatmadaw that is responsible for monitoring and warning. So it took necessary measures for scrutiny. According to the findings and scrutiny, there were 10,482,116 (over 10.4 million) fraudulent votes accounting for a quarter of the entire vote. The UEC, the ruling government, Hluttaw and Supreme Court were urged to address the issue. But, they failed. This means the attempt to grab State power as mentioned by the constitution. After that, the newly formed Union Election Commission continued to check the voter lists as necessary.
According to its findings, there were 11,305,390 (over 11.3 million) votes that were rigged.
Necessary action was taken against the old UEC members.
Reviewing the reasons, they tried to come to State power in an dishonest way. There were inaccurate voter lists as well.
In a multi-party democracy election, correct voter lists take the important role. It is necessary to do the detailed lists of eligible voters, ineligible voters, those able to go to the polls and those unable to go to the polls. Myanmar conducted the latest national census in April 2014. The interim census was conducted in 2019 and it was announced. If voter lists were based on them, there would not have been disparities.
According to those censuses, the country’s population growth was 0.88 percent annually in those years. It was just 0.87 percent in 2020. The emphasis on that population growth rate would not pave the way for bloated votes. It can also be reviewed that voting rigging emerged by taking advantage of the failure to conduct a national census for the period from 2014 to 2020.
Ours is a government that took State responsibilities after voting frauds had emerged, so having correct voter lists is of utmost importance. This is why measures are being taken to hold an election in all parts of the country and ensure correct voting. To do this, a census is being gathered. With the nationwide census overwhelming the whole country, we can get correct and accurate voter lists. Meanwhile, there are delays due to the threats and attacks by the terrorists. After preparations for ensuring State peace and tranquility, we will have to continue our measures to hold an election throughout the country.
On 14 May this year, the powerful cyclone Mocha with a wind speed of over 130 miles per hour hit Sittway. Its inception was known on 4 May. An emergency meeting of the National Disaster Management Committee took place on 6 May. Then, notices and warnings were released about dos and don'ts via the state media. On 13 May, seven townships in Rakhine State were declared as red-level regions.
According to the weather forecast process, warnings are usually released 12 hours before a storm. But announcements were made over a day before the storm came, and the people of the storm-prone regions were evacuated in time. Thanks to the well preparedness, few people were killed. It can be reviewed that we paid greater attention to the people in comparison with the extent of the storm. The storm left loss and damage to seven townships in northern Rakhine State and two in Chin State.
I myself, the SAC vice chairman, government officials, and Tatmadaw leaders went to the storm-affected areas and fulfilled the requirements. SAC officials and senior military officers are also taking close supervisory measures for rehabilitation work.
All necessary measures were taken to reopen schools on a timely basis, provide clean water and food, restore communication systems and electricity and resume agriculture and livestock breeding.
The On-Site Operation Coordination Centre was established to systematically allow international aid. And it is cooperating fully. When it comes to the cooperation with the international community, travel programmes were allowed for foreign governments, ERAT, UNOHCHR, AHA Centre, and Myanmar citizens living abroad for their aid and cash donations to Myanmar. Our government is trying in various ways to better improve the storm-hit areas.
The SAC has adopted and is implementing a five-point roadmap and twelve political, economic and social objectives.
Voting casting plays a key role in a genuine and disciplined democratic system. It is important for every citizen to be able to cast their votes with freedom and justice without any threat, fear or attachment. Currently, there are NUG, CRPH and PDF declared as terrorist organizations as well as some ethnic armed organizations that are committing acts to disupt the country’s executive, judicial and rule of law sectors by violating the NAC. They are committing terrorist acts involving gun attacks, killings and mine and arson attacks in some townships of Sagaing Region, northern Magway Region, eastern Bago Region, some townships of Taninthayi Region, and some townships of Kayin, Kayah, Chin and Mon states. They are carrying out attacks by taking homes, religious buildings and health and education facilities as cover and using civilians as a human shield. Therefore, security forces are taking measures with restraints.
It is therefore necessary to take notice of some regions that may have some difficulties with holding an election as stated in our objectives. Despite the SAC’s efforts, our election aim could deviate from its track if there are armed threats against the local people by forcing them not to cast their votes or vote for those as they wish. Thus, voting for democracy could pave the way for those aiding and abetting dictators and terrorists.
I would like to put forward a further report regarding the role of Hluttaws. According to the 2008 Constitution, three Hluttaws – Region or State Hluttaw, Amyotha Hluttaw and Pyithu Hluttaw – have been formed. According to the 2008 Constitution, to achieve a quorum of a Hluttaw session, if more than half of the eligible Hluttaw members attend the first day meetings of the Hluttaw session, it means the Hluttaw session will have a quorum. As the first day meetings have not achieved a quorum, if one third of the total number of eligible Hluttaw members attends the meetings that continued to hold, it means the meetings of the Hluttaw session achieve a quorum. For 50 percent required to achieve a quorum of the first meeting of a Hluttaw session, there have already been Tatmadaw Hluttaw representatives for 25 percent. Just the remaining 25 percent is required to achieve a quorum of a Hluttaw session.
But, as just discussed, once a Hluttaw session is called, there is a situation that an image that the Tatmadaw have a quorum of a Hluttaw session forcibly will be noted. Similarly, although the way as mentioned above could be used in choosing chief ministers of region and state, cabinet members, union president and vice-presidents etc.. , there might be inappropriateness for the image. As the election is a general election, it is necessary to ensure that representatives to be voted by the people participate in the election. Efforts are being made to enable representatives to be elected up to at least 75 percent. It will be hard to achieve a 100 percent win in an election.
For gaining much participation of representatives voted by the people and for enabling the people to vote for the representatives they like, candidates need to conduct campaign activities among the people on a constituency- wise basis. About 30 percent of Myanmar’s population are in urban areas and over 70 percent in rural areas. The urban people in the regions mentioned above can live peacefully but the threats remain in the rural areas. There will be difficulties to freely conduct campaign activities and freely vote. In addition to that, it is necessary to be aware that the needs for regional development and wishes will not be fulfilled.
Therefore, it is still needed to strengthen stability, peace and security of regions.
The existing Hluttaw laws do not provide what percent of the voters will have a quorum of the election. For example, only 14 percent of the eligible voters voted in the 2019 election of Yangon City Development Committee. Win and loss in that election was calculated upon that 14 percent and it can be seen and assessed whether the elected persons represented the people or not. Due to the lack of representing the people in that election, there were issues later.
It is the government’s duty to take measures to ensure that all voters have rights to peacefully and safely vote. Vote or no vote is the democratic right of an individual wish of the people.
Our government has emerged because of malpractice on voting lists. The election to be held by our government with responsibility is a matter that will be a crucial decision for the nation. Therefore, we will take special care to ensure that such malpractice in voting lists will not happen again in the election to be held in the time of our government.
If some weaknesses come out in making decisions and taking measures, our Tatmadaw will be blamed by the people.
Thus, as it is unable to hold the election early and hurriedly but is to prepare systematically, we need to continue to take the responsibilities until a certain time.
Looking forward to Myanmar’s democracy, we are working on holding the election compulsorily.
Regarding the election, it is possible that two displays come out. The first one is that the election is held except the regions where armed struggles and instabilities are happening currently. The second is that the election is compulsorily held nation-wide. Consequences of the first one are that there will be less number of townships than 315 townships in the election held in 2020. It has been learned that discontentment came out in the ethnic regions where the 2020 election could not be held. The people in the townships where the election could not be held will lose their rights to vote and express their wish democratically. It should be considered that elections should be held in safer areas if the election could not be held in the entire township. Moreover,
the consequences such as weaknesses in calling Hluttaw sessions, choosing chief ministers and forming governments in regions and states left out in the election and those such as no representatives of those regions in Amyotha Hluttaw and Pyithu Hluttaw and weaknesses in forming a government will be faced as well. That will fall into a position that Hluttaws are forcibly called in the eyes of intentional community and the people. I like to continue to present the consequences of the second possible one. Voting could be banned by means of threats with the reliance on arms in the regions where armed struggles and terrorist attacks are happening mainly and bomb blasts and attacks in terrorist ways and threatening and forcing the people to vote those in favour of the terrorists. As a result, there will be a drop in percentage for the representatives who the voters choose themselves and Hluttaw representatives supporting the terrorists will get to the respective Hluttaws as well. That will worsen the nation’s path to democracy. To ensure that such situations will not happen, it is urgently necessary to continue to take measures for peace and stability and rule of law with momentum in the regions and states where terrorist attacks are happening currently.
In analyzing and assessing the main requirements for the two displays to be able to hold the election, the main subjects are: to hold the election nation-wide; to enable the people to vote independently and fearlessly; and to ensure peace, stability and rule of law on an entire nation basis. The election we will hold is a general election. As that will become an important decision for the nation, all need to make efforts with a sense of special consideration. For firm and correct emergence of a genuine, disciplined multi-party democracy system that is the wise of the entire people in our country, political parties, EAOs, all the persons concerned, all the people, local and overseas organizations and international community need to cooperate in a constructive manner with a sense of full understanding.
Therefore, as it is necessary to take measures for peace and stability and rule of law with momentum in the regions and states where the terrorist attacks are happening currently, I would like to present that the period of State of Emergency declared for the entire country should be extended for another six months.
Afterwards, regarding the report by the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services, members of the National Defence and Security Council participated in the discussions. Firstly, Vice- President U Henry Van Thio said he supported the report and suggestion by the Commander-in- Chief of Defence Services.
Next, Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw U T Khun Myat joined the discussion saying that in the report by the Commander-in- Chief of Defence Services, current situation in the country and measures being taken by the State and to be continued to be done were widely viewed and discussed. In the wideranging discussion on the report on extension of the period of State of Emergency declared for the entire country at the 1/2023 Meeting of the National Defence and Security Council held on 31 January, 2023, a decision for extension of the period of State of Emergency from 1 February was made unanimously as per the remark by the State Constitutional Tribunal and a consensus decision of all members of the Council.
Especially, in Section 324 of the Constitution, it is provided that the decision by the State Constitutional Tribunal is final and conclusive. Thus, I support that the period of State of Emergency declared for the entire country in accordance with Section 324 of the Constitution is extended for another six months from August 1, 2023 under Section 425 of the Constitution.
Afterwards, Deputy Commander- in-Chief of Defence Services Vice-Senior General Soe Win participated in the discussion.
He spoke of damages caused to socio-economic life due to terrorists, decrease in terrorist acts due to cooperation of the people, the need of a certain time for the Tatmadaw to take operations and security measures necessary to ensure a decrease in terrorist acts, efforts being made by the Tatmadaw constantly for peace talks to ensure perpetual peace for the entire country, the need to prepare to ensure correct voting lists and support for extension of the period of State of Emergency declared for the entire country for another six months.
Then, Union Minister of Defence General Mya Tun Oo, expressed his support in a discussion for the extension of the period of declaring a state of emergency for the entire country by six months in accordance with the discussions of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services and the constitution.
After that, Union Minister Lt-Gen. Soe Htut began with the incidents of vote fraud that occurred in the 2020 election, the occurrence of terrorist acts in the country, and security and the support for the 6-month extension of the state of emergency declared for the whole country in accordance with the measures taken for peace and law and order and in accordance with the constitution in a discussion and presentation.
After that, U Than Swe, the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs, said that during the past 6 months, the politics, economy and social situations that are being carried out to make the international community aware of the conditions that are being developed and he supported the extension of the state of emergency declared in the whole country of the State Administration Council government.
Then, the Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung said that although the incidents of violence have decreased, various methods are being used to destroy the government’s governance mechanism and armed terrorist acts are still occurring in some places and he expressed his support for extending the period of the state of emergency declared throughout the country.
After that, in the general discussion, the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services said about terrorist activities continuously carried out by the EAOs and PDF nominal terrorists, overcoming economic sanctions with domestic strength, continued actions to achieve internal peace, and the electoral issues and the conditions that will be continued for the country’s peace and stability.
Then Acting President U Myint Swe, in the National Defence and Security Council Meeting No.(1/2023) held previously, during the two years of service from February 1, 2021 to February 1, 2023 by the State Administration Council, said not only the conditions that were carried out for the benefit of the state and citizens, but also security issues, political issues, business matters, and
health issues, that needs to be continued, were being discussed and presented, it was defined as “the situation of the country is not normal”.
He also noted that the State Administration Council carried out defence, politics, economy and social reforms to suit the current situation depending on the events and the unusual phenomenon occurring in the country.
In the previous two years of service, he said instead of the completed information on the previous five-point roadmap activities, he had seen that the filling was done for the remaining information and preparation for further action. In addition, it has also been found that supplementary changes have been made for the national interests and socio-economic life of the State and citizens in the political, economic and social objectives adopted during the previous two years. He would like to say that the National Defence and Security Council recognizes and honors the measures taken to benefit the State and citizens.
It was found that the conditions under which the five-point roadmap and the 12 political, economic and social objectives implemented in the last period were fully clarified and discussed by the Chairman of the State Administration Council in this meeting.
It should also be noted that the State Administration Council is working towards the creation of the election, which is the primary objective, after solving the 2020 election fraud that caused the current political situation.
He would like to say that the amendment of the Political Parties Registration Law is an appropriate measure to make a free and fair election, which is the life of democracy, to create political parties that have the power of consolidation and to create an environment where the voice of the ethnic people can be heard.
He said that due to current circumstances, some personal and organizational conditions, some of the previously existing parties failed to register. On the other side of this process, some political parties joined and the registration of some new parties has been developed, which proves that the Political Parties Registration Law is a perfect law in essence. According to the Political Parties Registration Law, when the registration process is completed, the process of holding an election will have to be prepared.
In the discussion of the chairman of the State Administration Council, it was seen that the holding of the election was discussed in two layouts. According to the first layout, some places in Sagaing Region and the northern part of the Magwe region, a few places in Kayah, Kayin, Chin states, the eastern part of Bago Region and Taninthayi Region, where the attacks, violence and illegal practices are taking place, will be left out and elections will be held in the rest of the country.
The second layout is the implementation of the nationwide election. There are advantage and disadvantage in every layout. As the current State Administration Council was established based on the Tatmadaw, Tatmadaw must fulfill its great responsibilities such as to protect and safeguard the three responsibilities, to ensure that the national interests of the state are not affected and to serve in the national political leadership role of the State stated in Article 6 (f) of the 2008 Constitution. Among the advantages and disadvantages of two electoral scenarios, he deeply noticed that the path of democracy, which was discussed by the chairman of the State Administration Council, is only aimed at the people’s victory.
In order to be able to hold elections nationwide, elections must be held countrywide that will reflect the wishes of all the people in the entire country. In doing so, it has to be said that people-centered objectives such as ensuring the right to vote independently without fear and preventing those who want and support violence from entering the parliament, are complete discussions. In order to hold a free and fair election, peace and stability in the area and law enforcement activities must be continuously implemented.
In the recent international relations field, it has been found that the State Administration Council has been applying an independent and active, neutral policy and is increasing the comprehensive development in various fields such as dealing with various foreign countries’ relations issues, economy, health and education. He said that he is also seeing that it is accelerating to achieve continued progress.
In addition, it has been found that the two national objectives and two political objectives established for the citizens need to be carried out in order to continue to improve from the current good situation.
During the 6-month period that was discussed, it has also been found that there is still a need to provide people with the strength, money and speed, including the rebuilding of the basic structures of the local communities and the recovery and return to the original situation that were damaged by the Mocha storm, including the wind disaster.
During the period of maintaining the national responsibility by the State Administration Council, despite the international and multi-faceted attacks, he respectfully acknowledges what the State Administration Council has done to advance the interests of the State and citizens. Depending on the developments, it can be said that the supplementary measures, preparation of advance procedures and directions and the efforts to make a free and fair election have made history.
He said that everyone must work together to ensure the stability of the country, to have rule of law and to create the freedom of individual people, independence and an election environment where people can vote without fear.
According to the consensus and decisions of all members of the National Defence and Security Council, including himself, who attended today’s meeting, according to the powers of sub-section (b) Article 421 of the Constitution and in accordance with Article 425 of the Constitution, “the period of declaring a state of emergency for the entire country has been extended for another 6 months from August 1, 2023” according to the political situation of the country and according to Article 419 of the Constitution, it is necessary to inform the National Defence and Security Council that all the responsibilities of the State will be handed over to the “Chairman of the State Administration Council, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services”. The National Defence and Security Council would issue a statement and it was reported that the National Defence and Security Council meeting (2/2023) was ended.