Myanmar’s parliament is set to hold a crucial vote on Friday to elect the country’s next president, as political tensions persist following a disputed election and years of military rule.

House Speaker Aung Lin Dwe announced on Thursday that lawmakers from both chambers will convene in a joint session to select the president from a pool of three vice-presidential candidates. The session, which will include military-appointed representatives, is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. local time.

Among the leading contenders is Min Aung Hlaing, the former army chief who led the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état that removed the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and plunged the country into prolonged conflict. The 69-year-old stepped down earlier this week after serving as commander-in-chief for 15 years and was subsequently nominated as a vice-presidential candidate.

The parliamentary process involves three nominees each selected by different blocs, including the lower house, upper house, and military representatives. Lawmakers will vote to elevate one of them to the presidency.

According to Reuters, the speaker confirmed that all three candidates meet the constitutional requirements for the presidency, as outlined during proceedings broadcast on state media.

The vote comes in the aftermath of a widely criticized election held between December and January, in which the military-aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party claimed victory. The poll was dismissed by the United Nations and several Western governments as lacking credibility, further deepening concerns over Myanmar’s political future.

The outcome of Friday’s vote is expected to shape the next phase of governance in a country still grappling with internal conflict and international isolation.

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