Myanmar’s parliamentary speaker Shwe Mann on Monday urged lawmakers who lost their seats in last week’s general election to “play fair” and carry out their work as the legislature reconvened for its final session before incoming MPs are sworn in next year.

“Although most MPs, myself included, have little reason to return to parliament because we lost in the election, we must work in the interest of the country and people in good faith and fairness during the rest of our time as lawmakers,” Shwe Mann told the session in the capital Naypyidaw.

Shwe Mann also extended his thanks to “all organizations and individuals who participated in holding a successful election,” and pledged to collaborate with the new government and the military—which is guaranteed one-third of the seats in parliament under the constitution—to “ensure peace and stability in the post-election period.”