Myanmar junta extends state of emergency, signalling poll delay

Thousands of civilians have been killed and injured as the junta battles a clutch of new and established rebel groups opposed to military rule.

Acting President Myint Swe told a meeting of the junta-stacked National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) that the "state of emergency period would be extended another six months starting from August 1st, 2023".

Myanmar's military-drafted 2008 Constitution, which the junta has said is still in force, requires authorities to hold fresh elections within six months of a state of emergency being lifted.