Kathmandu | Myanmar commenced the first phase of its multi-party democratic general election today, marking the first nationwide vote since the military seized power in a 2021 coup. Under heavy security and strict regulations, the ruling military junta has framed the month-long electoral process as a necessary step toward returning the country to democratic stability. However, the polls opened at 6:00 AM local time on Sunday only in junta-controlled areas, as a brutal and ongoing civil war has left nearly half of the country under rebel control. In these conflict zones, voting has been suspended, and major opposition parties, including Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), have been dissolved or barred from participating, leading many international observers to label the entire exercise a “sham.”
The election is being conducted in three distinct phases to manage security challenges and logistical hurdles. Following today’s initial round, which covers 102 townships including major cities like Yangon, Mandalay, and the capital Naypyidaw, the second phase is scheduled for January 11, with the final round set for January 25, 2026. This year’s election also introduces a new Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) system and electronic voting machines, which the Union Election Commission (UEC) claims will enhance transparency. Despite these technical updates, human rights groups and Western diplomats argue that the ballot is heavily stacked in favor of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk recently condemned the atmosphere of “violence and repression,” noting that many citizens are being compelled to vote under the threat of arrest or harsher penalties.
As the country of 50 million people navigates this deeply polarized process, the ultimate outcome remains predictable to many experts. With the NLD absent and resistance forces in regions like Sagaing and Shan state vowing to continue their fight, the election is widely seen as a rebranding effort for military rule rather than a genuine democratic transition. While the junta insists that the polls will “turn a new page” for Myanmar’s economy and peace, the international community remains skeptical, fearing that an illegitimate result will only further entrench the cycle of violence. Official results are not expected to be announced until late January 2026, after the conclusion of all three voting phases.
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