Myanmar's state-run media says the country's military has extended the state of emergency for another six months. That may push back a planned election scheduled to be held by August.

The state media said on Wednesday that the National Defence and Security Council, including the country's top general, Min Aung Hlaing, decided on the extension. The report also said the council acknowledged that the security situation in the country is "not normal."

Myanmar's Constitution says a state of emergency can be declared for up to two years, in principle. The current emergency reached the limit on Tuesday.

The junta seized power in a coup and declared a state of emergency two year ago. It claimed irregularities in a 2020 general election that saw Aung San Suu Kyi's party win in a landslide.

The emergency declaration has been used as the basis to justify the military rule and to crack down on pro-democracy forces.

The Constitution also stipulates that an election be held within six months from the end of the state of emergency.

The extension may lead to a delay of the election that the military had said it would hold by August.(NHK)