Myanmar’s military on Thursday ended a four-year state of emergency and formed a caretaker administration ahead of planned elections, with the junta chief holding on to all major levers of power

Myanmar’s military leadership lifted a state of emergency more than four years after it took power in a coup, a necessary step for holding elections slated to be held later this year.

The military government hopes elections can bring more international legitimacy. But the generals will still rule, and opposition groups are boycotting.