Myanmar extends state of emergency, delaying expected polls

Gen Min Aung Hlaing talks during the National Defence and Security Council meeting (The Military True News Information Team via AP)

Myanmar’s military government has announced it is extending a state of emergency it imposed when it seized power two years ago, a move that appears to set back its plans for an election that had been expected in August.

The announcement on state-run MRTV television said the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC), which met on Tuesday, had extended the state of emergency for another six months because the country remains in an abnormal situation, and time is needed to prepare for a peaceful and stable election.