Voters in Myanmar participated in the initial phase of the country’s first general election in five years on Sunday, amid ongoing civil conflict and under the oversight of a military government. The military seized power in February 2021, deposing the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party had won a decisive victory in the 2020 elections but was prevented from assuming office.
Across Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, as well as the capital Naypyitaw, citizens cast their votes at various polling stations, including schools and government facilities. However, skepticism surrounds the legitimacy of the election as numerous major political parties are excluded and restrictions on free speech persist in a climate of repression.
Critics argue that the anticipated success of the military-leaning Union Solidarity and Development Party renders any transition to civilian governance mere illusion. Some analysts suggest that holding the election may provide a pretext for neighboring countries—such as China, India, and Thailand—to justify their ongoing support for Myanmar’s junta, claiming it fosters stability, despite Western nations imposing sanctions over the military regime’s undemocratic actions and brutal tactics against dissent.
Security was visibly heightened in Yangon leading up to the election, with armed guards deployed outside polling sites and military vehicles patrolling the streets. This election marks the first time electronic voting machines are being utilized in Myanmar, an initiative aimed at modernizing the electoral process.
Despite threats from opposition groups to disrupt the vote, there were no significant incidents reported. Aung San Suu Kyi, now 80 years old, is not involved in the election due to serving a lengthy prison sentence on charges seen as politically motivated. Her party, the National League for Democracy, was dissolved last year after declining to register under the military’s new election rules. Many other parties also chose not to participate or refused to comply with what they deem unfair conditions, leading to calls for a voter boycott.
Amael Vier, an analyst for the Asian Network for Free Elections, expressed concerns over the lack of genuine electoral choices, pointing out that a significant majority of voters in the previous election backed parties that no longer exist. The military’s repressive measures have hindered the mobilization of opposition forces, with over 22,000 individuals currently imprisoned for political reasons and more than 7,600 civilians reportedly killed since the coup.
The civil unrest that erupted following the military’s lethal crackdown on peaceful protests in 2021 has resulted in a civil war, displacing more than 3.6 million people, according to UN figures. The newly introduced Election Protection Law imposes severe penalties and limits public criticism of the electoral process, creating an environment devoid of freedom of expression or peaceful assembly, as highlighted by U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Türk.
Voting is set to occur in three stages, with the first phase covering 102 of Myanmar’s 330 townships. The subsequent phases are scheduled for January 11 and January 25, with final results anticipated by the end of January. A total of over 4,800 candidates from 57 political parties are competing for national and regional legislative seats, although only six parties are vying for a chance at significant political influence in Parliament.
This election, amid dire circumstances, represents both a critical and complex moment for Myanmar, highlighting the ongoing struggle between military authority and a populace yearning for democratic governance.