Myanmar's military has dissolved the political party headed by ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as dozens of other parties.

The move is widely seen as a way for the military to tighten its grip on power. It has said a general election will take place in the country after the situation stabilizes.

The announcement was made on Tuesday on state media. It said the National League for Democracy will be invalidated as it failed to meet a deadline to register for the election.

The NLD won the general election in 2020. But the military claimed irregularities.

It then seized power in a coup early the next year. The junta enacted a law in January requiring parties to field candidates in more than 500 constituencies.

That makes it impossible for the NLD to register. Aung San Suu Kyi and other party officials are under detention, and many members have fled overseas.

The junta says it will carry out a fair election following the end of the state of emergency, which has been extended to the end of July. But NLD member Bo Bo Oo, who lives outside the country, expressed serious doubts, saying it would likely amount to a "sham election."

He said: "It's hard, so sad for the people. Because this is one of the symbols and icons of their brutal abuse and brutal oppression."

He says the dissolution of parties makes a return to civilian rule much more difficult.

He adds that what the country's democracy needs most is the release of political detainees, like Aung San Suu Kyi, and many others.