July 24, 2024

General Zaw Min Tun, the spokesperson for the military council, announced on July 23 via the council’s media outlets that the transfer of interim presidential duties to military leader Min Aung Hlaing is in accordance with the constitution.

According to General Zaw Min Tun, the interim president, U Myint Swe, is currently receiving treatment from a special medical team due to his poor health. However, due to his inability to fulfill the responsibilities of the interim presidency effectively, these duties have been transferred to Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing.

General Zaw Min Tun stated, “Due to the interim president’s health condition, he cannot attend the National Defense and Security Council meetings. Under Section 412(b) of the Constitution, in case of any vacancy or incapacity of the interim president, the National Defense and Security Council has the authority to decide on governance matters. Therefore, according to Section 419 of the Constitution, the State Administration Council Chairman, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services, is entrusted with exercising executive power on behalf of the president.”

He also mentioned that according to Section 418 of the Constitution, the interim president cannot delegate his duties to the Speaker of the Parliament unless the Parliament is in session. Since there is no current parliament, the Speaker of the Parliament can only transfer power to the newly elected Speaker after the elections.

The State Administration Council, which is managing the national administration in the absence of a functioning parliament, was notified by the interim president’s office about the need to continue addressing national defense and security matters as required, due to the interim president’s health condition.

The formal signing to transfer the interim presidential duties to Min Aung Hlaing took place on July 22 at 11:30 a.m., as stated in the military council’s announcement.