The announcement came on the second anniversary of the military coup, which the anti-junta resistance movement marked by calling for a “silent protest” and requesting the public stay home to communicate its opposition to the unofficial government. Scenes of empty tarmac appeared on social media accounts, showcasing a broad, and widespread opposition to the armed forces, and the difficulties that it faces in convening an election designed to launder and legitimise military rule.

“Sovereign power of the state has been transferred to commander in chief again,” acting President Myint Swe said in an announcement that was made public via reports in state-run media outlets, referring to coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

This is the third six-month extension that the junta has rolled out since it seized power in February 2021. “Although according to the section 425 of the constitution, (a state of emergency) can only be granted two times, the current situation is under unusual circumstances and it is suitable to extend it one more time of six months,” Myint Swe said at the meeting.

The military’s control over large parts of the country is between non-existent or contested, leaving relatively few areas where it could guarantee secure polling. Anti-regime militias known as People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) have made large swathes of territory inhospitable to the uniformed armed forces in parts of central Myanmar that have historically been seen as bastions of support for the military.

Min Aung Hlaing acknowledged at the 2 February 2023 NDSC meeting that,

“Only when peace and stability prevail all over the country and there is a situation where everything is normal, will it be possible for general elections to be held in all parts of the country.”

Whether another six months will make any appreciable difference to the feasibility of the junta’s election plans, however, remains very much in doubt.