Myanmar junta eases election registration rules ahead of expiry of state of emergency

Myanmar's military government on Wednesday announced an easing of election registration rules for political parties, hours ahead of the expiry of a state of emergency in place since a 2021 coup.

In an announcement in state media, the junta, which has vowed to hold an election and return to democratic rule, reduced the minimum threshold for party membership and the percentage of townships where one must operate. The six-month state of emergency, which has repeatedly been extended, is due to expire later on Wednesday.

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