Myanmar military promises new elections and transfer of power after coup



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YANGON – Myanmar’s military said on Monday it will hold new elections and hand over power to the winning party after a year of state of emergency has passed, hours after carrying out a coup.

“We will carry out a true multi-party democracy … with full balance and justice,” said a statement on the army’s official Facebook page.

The army claims that last year’s elections, in which the Aung San Suu Kyi National League for Democracy won outright, were riddled with massive electoral fraud.

Unable to accept the result, the army struck out early Monday.

The statement was issued hours after the army seized power, detained de facto leader Suu Kyi, declared a state of emergency and appointed former General Myint Swe as acting president.

He said power will be transferred to the winning party after “free and fair general elections are held and the period of emergency provisions is completed.”

Under Myanmar’s constitution, drawn up by the army, a state of emergency can be declared throughout the country for up to one year.

But given the coup and the almost total control of the country by the army, that period is within its possibilities to change.

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