Min Aung Hlaing elected Myanmar President

April 3, 2026

New Delhi: Min Aung Hlaing has been elected President of Myanmar after securing the highest votes among three nominees, according to media reports on Friday.

Vice Presidents and leadership changes
His two Vice Presidents include former military-appointed Prime Minister Nyo Saw and Nan Ni Ni Aye, a leader from the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). Ahead of the election, Hlaing stepped down as commander-in-chief and handed over the role to General Ye Win Oo.

Election process and political backdrop
As per Myanmar’s constitution, the Union Parliament elects the President from among three vice-presidential candidates. Earlier, the lower house, Pyithu Hluttaw, had nominated Hlaing as a vice-presidential candidate. Elections held between December 2025 and January 2026 saw the USDP emerge victorious, though most opposition parties were barred from contesting.

Background of 2021 military coup
Min Aung Hlaing has been in power since the 2021 coup, when he overthrew the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The military annulled the 2020 election results, dissolved the National League for Democracy (NLD), and detained Suu Kyi along with several leaders and activists.