Myanmar junta stages election after five years of civil war

As Myanmar prepares for its upcoming elections starting December 28, 2025, the international community adn citizens alike are scrutinizing the process amid ongoing conflict and political turmoil. These elections, orchestrated by the ruling military junta, are being promoted as a step toward restoring democracy after the 2021 coup that dismantled the civilian government. However, with widespread restrictions, the exclusion of key political figures, and ongoing civil unrest, many question the legitimacy and impact of the vote. Understanding the complexities behind this election is crucial for grasping the current state of Myanmar’s fragile political landscape.

Military Control and the Election Framework

The military, led by Min aung Hlaing, continues to dominate Myanmar’s political scene, having seized power in February 2021 after alleging electoral fraud in the 2020 polls. The current constitution guarantees the armed forces 25% of parliamentary seats,ensuring their continued influence regardless of election outcomes. The junta has organized a phased election process, beginning in government-controlled areas such as Yangon, Mandalay, and the capital naypyidaw. Though, voting is entirely absent in rebel-held regions, which constitute a significant portion of the contry, further undermining the inclusiveness of the process.

The Marginalization of Civilian Leadership

Aung San Suu Kyi, the internationally recognized symbol of Myanmar’s democratic aspirations, remains imprisoned on charges widely regarded as politically motivated. Her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), which won a landslide victory in 2020, has been dissolved, effectively removing the most popular civilian opposition from the ballot. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Growth Party (USDP) dominates the candidate list, with new electronic voting machines designed to prevent write-in candidates or spoiled ballots, further limiting voter choice.

Conflict and Its Impact on the Electoral Process

The country remains engulfed in a brutal civil war, with ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy militias controlling large swaths of territory. The junta’s military offensives, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure such as hospitals in Rakhine State, have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. According to the non-profit Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED),over 90,000 people have died since the conflict escalated,with millions displaced and half the population living in poverty,as reported by the United Nations. These conditions have made it impractical to hold elections in many areas, casting doubt on the representativeness of the vote.

Public Sentiment and International Reactions

Public enthusiasm for the election is notably low, with many citizens expressing apathy or fear of repercussions for abstaining. Some view the election as a mere attempt by the military to legitimize its rule rather than a genuine democratic exercise. International observers have largely dismissed the polls as a facade, with UN Secretary-General antonio Guterres stating that the elections are unlikely to resolve the country’s deep-rooted issues. Despite this, some political figures, like People’s Party leader Ko Ko Gyi, encourage participation in hopes of gradual change.

Vital Facts: Key Points to Remember

• Myanmar’s military junta began the election process on December 28,2025,five years after the 2021 coup.
• Aung San Suu Kyi is serving a 27-year prison sentence on charges widely seen as politically motivated.
• The National League for Democracy (NLD) was dissolved, removing the main civilian opposition from the election.
• The Union solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is the largest pro-military party contesting the election.
• The constitution reserves 25% of parliamentary seats for the military, ensuring their political influence.
• Voting is excluded in rebel-controlled areas, affecting approximately one in seven constituencies.
• Over 90,000 deaths have been reported since the conflict escalated, according to ACLED.
• Approximately 3.6 million people are internally displaced, with half the population living below the poverty line, per UN data.
• New electronic voting machines prevent write-in candidates and spoiled ballots, limiting voter options.
• More than 22,000 political prisoners are currently detained by the junta, as reported by the assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are the 2025 elections in Myanmar considered controversial? The elections are seen as controversial because they are organized by the military junta, exclude major opposition parties like the NLD, and do not take place in rebel-held areas, raising questions about their fairness and legitimacy.

Q: What role does the military play in Myanmar’s government under the current constitution? The military is guaranteed 25% of parliamentary seats, allowing it to maintain significant control over legislative decisions regardless of election results.

Q: What has happened to Aung San Suu Kyi as the 2021 coup? Aung San Suu Kyi has been imprisoned on multiple charges, including corruption and violating Covid-19 restrictions, which many international observers consider politically motivated.

Q: How has the ongoing civil war affected the election process? The civil war has made it impossible to hold elections in many regions controlled by ethnic armed groups and militias, limiting voter participation and representation.

Q: What is the international community’s stance on myanmar’s 2025 elections? Most international observers and organizations, including the United Nations, view the elections as a military attempt to legitimize its rule rather than a genuine democratic process.