Myanmar operates de jure as a unitary assembly-independent presidential republic under its 2008 constitution. On 1 February 2021, Myanmar's military took over the government in a coup, causing ongoing anti-coup protests.
Voting at a polling station
Ballot papers and stamps
The Assembly of the Union.
Image: Senior General Min Aung Hlaing 2017 (cropped)
A coup d'état in Myanmar began on the morning of 1 February 2021, when democratically elected members of the country's ruling party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), were deposed by the Tatmadaw — Myanmar's military — which then vested power in a military junta. Acting President of Myanmar Myint Swe proclaimed a year-long state of emergency and declared power had been transferred to Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. It declared the results of the November 2020 general election invalid and stated its intent to hold a new election at the end of the state of emergency. The coup d'état occurred the day before the Parliament of Myanmar was to swear in the members elected in the 2020 election, thereby preventing this from occurring. President Win Myint and State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi were detained, along with ministers, their deputies, and members of Parliament.
Deposed State Counsellor of Myanmar Aung San Suu Kyi (left) and Senior General Min Aung Hlaing (right)
A military blockade of the road leading to the Mandalay Region Government Office.
Thousands of protesters participate in an anti-military rally in Yangon.
Teachers are protesting in Hpa-An, capital city of Kayin State (9 February 2021)