Vice-Senior General Soe Win underlines peace and stability are required to successfully hold a free and fair multiparty democratic general election and to enable representatives of political parties to conduct canvassing successfully.
Vice-Chairman of the State Administration Council Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win yesterday morning met Tatmadaw members and families of Kalaw Station at the hall of the station.
On the occasion, the Vice-Senior General explained the political progress of the State, declared a State of Emergency and assume three powers of the State by Tatmadaw in accord with the Constitution (2008) since the ruling party government acted unlawfully and forcibly seized the State power again in the 2020 multiparty democratic general election, staging only protests in the early period of the assumption of Tatmadaw. He continued that some armed groups that had signed the NCA (Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement) joined forces with other ethnic armed groups and began disrupting and attacking Tatmadaw. Due to foreign instigations, terrorist groups emerged, carrying out various activities aimed at destabilizing the country’s security, stability and peace. The Vice-Senior General noted attempts of internal and external organizations and some persons not wishing to see peace, stability and development of the State to cause disintegration of Tatmadaw and disunity between Tatmadaw and the people, and efforts of Tatmadaw to prioritize security and stability to strengthen the sovereignty of the State by upholding Our Three Main National Causes.
The Vice-Senior General underscored that the ultimate goal of the State Administration Council is to successfully hold a free and fair multiparty democratic general election. To achieve this, necessary preparations are being made in advance, including conducting a population and housing census.
He recounted that the Chairman of the State Administration Council announced to the world during the official state visits to the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus that the multiparty democratic general elections are planned to be held in December 2025 or as early as January 2026.
Hence, he continued that as peace and stability are required to successfully hold a free and fair multiparty democratic general election and to enable representatives of political parties to conduct canvassing successfully, Tatmadaw members have to cooperate with the Myanmar Police Force, people’s militia (local) troops and relevant people’s security and terrorism eradication squads as well as people in enhancing security measures.
The Vice-Senior General stressed that only when the free and fair election has been completed successfully will a government comprising the Hluttaw formed with elected representatives, the president, and chief ministers of region and states be constituted and will three State powers be handed over to the elected government.
He emphasized that some conscription committees have failed to comply with legal procedures in summoning people’s military servants. As a result, certain conscripts have faced difficulties and hardships due to illegal and unnecessary financial misconduct during the conscription process. Efforts are being made to resolve these recurring issues. Therefore, if Tatmadaw members come across misconduct by conscription committees at various levels, they have to promptly report it to the relevant authorities.
He instructed officials to fulfil the basic needs and education and health of the families from the regiments and units in the areas with transportation difficulties.
The Vice-Senior General highlighted that Tatmadaw has already provided appropriate rights and entitlements to soldiers at all ranks according to their respective levels. Hence, officials need to supervise provisions of deserved rights for Tatmadaw members to ensure their welfare.
He noted that Tatmadaw members, by the nature of their duties, face difficult, harsh, and exhausting responsibilities. They must always maintain physical strength and stamina, and their mental determination must remain strong as needed.
The Vice-Senior General heard reports of Tatmadaw members and families individually and coordinated with officials on the measures they reported.
The Vice-Senior General presented foodstuffs to Tatmadaw members and families while Daw Than Than Nwe, his wife, gave cash awards to the maternal and child welfare association.
The Vice-Senior General cordially greeted Tatmadaw members and families.
The meeting was also attended by Shan State Chief Minister U Aung Aung, senior Tatmadaw officers from the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, the commander of Eastern Command and officials.
He then inspected the breeding of DYL pigs, layers and broilers at local battalions and gave necessary instructions to officials.
In the morning, the Vice-Senior General paid homage to Hsutaungpyae Hnee Pagoda in Kalaw and offered alms to the Sayadaw. — MNA/TTA
