POLITICAL PARTIES WELCOME NEXT YEAR POLLS PLEDGE BY JUNTA IN MYANMAR

ANKARA, July 25 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Political parties in Myanmar welcomed the next year's general elections pledged by the junta, Anadolu Agency reported.

In a joint statement, published by the Ministry of Information of Myanmar, the political parties said the announcement is a firm decision of the State Administration Council to implement the five-point roadmap.

"The message that the government is preparing to hold an election in 2025 is intended for the emergence of a public-elected democratic government. It is not an escape for defence and security organisations, and we accept it as the best escape for all people, including political parties," it said.

Last month, the junta leader Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing announced holding the long-delayed election next year.

In February 2021, Myanmar’s army overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and seized power in a military coup.

The country fell into deep social, political and economic turmoil as the army conducted brutal campaigns against perceived opponents.

Since October, fighting between the military and armed opposition groups has intensified and spread to most of Myanmar.

Since the February 2021 coup, over 2,470 airstrikes have been carried out, resulting in over 1,300 deaths.

More than 2.8 million people in the war-torn country are displaced, and at least 18 million require humanitarian aid, according to the UN agencies.

--BERNAMA-ANADOLU