Naypyidaw, March 30 – Myanmar's junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has been nominated as President in a parliamentary process that appears to be designed to solidify his control over civil society, local media reported on Monday.
The Myanmar junta also appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Army, Ye Win Oo, as Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services.
Ye Win Oo replaced Min Aung Hlaing, who has served as Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services since 2011, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The handover ceremony for the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services took place at the Zeyathiri Beikman in Naypyidaw on Monday.
Min Aung Hlaing has ruled Myanmar since 2021, when he ordered a coup that overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, according to local media, Myanmar Now.
In a vote held in Naypyitaw on Monday, a legislature with a majority of military appointees and allies of the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) selected Min Aung Hlaing as President, completing his transition from Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces to head of state.
According to the military-drafted constitution, the bicameral parliament nominates two presidential candidates, while military representatives who hold 25 per cent of parliamentary seats nominate a third.
Of the three candidates, the one who receives the most votes becomes President, while the other two become vice presidents.
During the session on Monday, the lower house nominated Min Aung Hlaing as a presidential candidate, while the upper house selected Nang Ni Ni Aye, a lawmaker from the Union Solidarity and Development Party, according to Myanmar Now.
This move comes after years of the military seizing power, detaining elected leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and dismantling democratic institutions.
Earlier this month, two former generals were chosen for the positions of speakers of the upper and lower houses of parliament. Former national police chief and junta cabinet minister, Khin Yi, was elected speaker of the lower chamber, while Aung Lin Dwe, a key player in the 2021 coup, was appointed speaker of the upper chamber.