Myanmar's military has extended the state of emergency for another six months. This is the seventh extension by the junta since it took power in 2021.

The country's state-run media said on Friday that the National Defense and Security Council decided on the extension. This comes the day before the fourth anniversary of the 2021 coup.

In the report, the military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, said peace and stability are necessary to hold free and fair elections, which had been expected to be held this year.

The military carried out a census in October, saying a list of voters is essential for an election and transition to a civilian government.

But the election requires the lifting of the emergency declaration.

The military first declared a state of emergency when it launched the coup. It says the declaration is the basis for its rule of the country.

Now that there is no prospect of an election for the time being, fighting with pro-democracy forces and armed ethnic minority groups may intensify.