On December 28, 2025, voting stations opened across Myanmar for the first time in five years. This is the first national election since the military took power in February 2021. The army removed the civilian government at that time. The election is controlled by the military government, called the State Administration Council (SAC). The country is still facing violence, fear, and strict control. Many people inside and outside Myanmar do not trust this election.
Myanmar General Election Amid Political Crisis
The 2025–26 general election is being held in three parts. The first part covers 102 of 330 townships. The military says the election will bring back democracy. However, the country is in civil war. Fighting is happening in many areas. The military controls only about 21% of the land, mostly big cities like Naypyidaw, Yangon, and Mandalay. Other areas are controlled or challenged by resistance groups.
This election is very different from the 2020 election. In 2020, people showed support with rallies and flags. Now, the streets are quiet. Many people are afraid. The United Nations and critics say the election is only for show. They believe it is meant to keep the military in power, not to reflect people’s wishes.
Military Control and Exclusion of Opposition Parties
The military has removed its main political enemies from the election. The National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the 2020 election, was dissolved in 2023. This happened because the party refused to follow new strict laws. Aung San Suu Kyi, the former leader and Nobel Prize winner, is still in prison. She is now 80 years old and serving a 27-year sentence. Many believe the charges against her are political.
New party laws make it very hard for parties to compete. A party must have at least 100,000 members and more than $35,000 to run nationwide. Only 57 parties were able to register. The military-backed party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), is the strongest. Many believe it will win easily. This could allow military leader Min Aung Hlaing to become president.
Security Measures and Voting Environment
Security at voting places is very strong. Soldiers, weapons, and military vehicles are everywhere. There are many checkpoints. Reports say soldiers and officials have forced people to vote. Some voters say they were threatened. In some areas, a new law bans any criticism of the election. People can be jailed or even face death punishment for speaking against it.
In Yangon and Naypyidaw, armed patrols are common. In rural areas like Mon State, people say soldiers pressured them at gunpoint. In Sagaing region, air attacks were reported just hours before voting started. The military is also using electronic voting machines in some places for the first time.
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International Response and Regional Implications
Many countries do not agree on this election. The United States and European Union say the election is fake and unfair. They continue to place sanctions on Myanmar. China and Russia support the military government. China says it wants stability to protect its projects, like oil pipelines and trade routes.
ASEAN countries are divided. Some want the military to follow the peace plan called the Five-Point Consensus. Others talk with the military to manage borders and humanitarian problems. More than 3.5 million people have been forced from their homes. Because of this, many doubt the election will bring peace or stability.
Key Analysis: The Future of Myanmar
Many experts believe this election is only to make military rule look legal. It does not truly represent the people. In the 2020 election, 73% of voters supported parties that are now banned or gone. The military has changed the voting system to proportional representation. Also, the constitution already gives the military 25% of seats in parliament. This means the military can rule even with little public support.
The next voting phases will be on January 11 and January 25, 2026. However, peace and unity still seem far away. For many people in Myanmar, this election does not end the crisis. Instead, it makes military control official.
Disclaimer
The news information presented here is based on available reports and reliable sources. Readers should cross-check updates from official news outlets.