As Myanmar embarks on its first general election since a military coup in 2021, the backdrop of ongoing civil conflict highlights the complexities surrounding the electoral process. With many citizens unable to participate and opposition parties excluded, this election poses significant challenges to the country’s aspirations for democracy and stability. As the military-led government frames the polls as a pathway to reconciliation and renewal, observers are left questioning the true nature of this electoral exercise amidst a landscape marked by violence and repression.
Polls have opened in Myanmar for the first general election since the military toppled Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi’s democratically elected government in a 2021 coup. This heavily restricted election is taking place in approximately one-third of the country’s 330 townships, with vast areas rendered inaccessible due to an ongoing civil war between the military and various opposition forces.
Following this initial phase of voting, two additional rounds will occur on January 11 and January 25, while voting has been canceled altogether in 65 townships. According to Al Jazeera’s Tony Cheng, reporting from Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, this situation disenfranchises at least 20 percent of the population. Notably, Cheng observed a steady flow of voters in Yangon, primarily composed of middle-aged citizens, with few young individuals participating. Voter options are limited, predominantly featuring military-affiliated parties.
Critics—ranging from the United Nations to human rights groups—have condemned the election as neither free nor credible, with anti-military political parties barred from participation. Aung San Suu Kyi remains in detention, and her National League for Democracy (NLD), which achieved a landslide victory in the previous election, has been dissolved.
The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), aligned with the military, is anticipated to dominate the electoral landscape. The military regime, in power since 2021, has characterized the vote as a pivotal opportunity for national rejuvenation, presenting an optimistic narrative of political and economic recovery under the leadership of Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
An opinion piece in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar emphasized the elections as a critical juncture for the country, aiming to transition from its crisis-ridden state to one of hope and reconstruction. However, with fighting continuing across extensive parts of Myanmar, the legitimacy of this electoral process is severely compromised. UN human rights chief Volker Turk expressed concerns, stating that the essential freedoms required for genuine civic participation are curtailed.
The civil war, instigated by the 2021 coup, has led to the death of an estimated 90,000 individuals and displaced 3.5 million, with around 22 million citizens in dire need of humanitarian assistance. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, over 22,000 individuals remain detained for political offenses.
In downtown Yangon, polling stations were secured overnight with armed officers assigned to key traffic junctions, while election officials set up equipment, including electronic voting machines. These machines exclude the possibility for write-in candidates or spoiled ballots. Among the few early voters was 45-year-old Swe Maw, who disregarded international criticism, stating the significance of opinion varies among the populace. Conversely, 40-year-old Moe Moe Myint from the central Mandalay region expressed skepticism about the election’s capacity for fairness, lamenting the military’s impact on their lives.
The subsequent round of polling will occur in two weeks, concluding with final elections on January 25, though dates for vote counting and result announcements are yet to be disclosed. Analysts assert that the military’s efforts to establish a stable administration amid ongoing conflict are fraught with peril, and widespread international recognition for any military-governed regime seems unlikely. As Richard Horsey of the International Crisis Group notes, the anticipated outcome points to a significant USDP victory, perpetuating military rule despite the lack of a viable strategy for addressing Myanmar’s enduring political challenges.
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