The final phase of Myanmar’s general election concluded today, marking the end of a month-long process designed to entrench the military’s grip on power. While the junta frames the vote as a “return to democracy,” the international community has largely dismissed it as a carefully managed performance of legitimacy.
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The election was conducted in three phases—December 28, January 11, and today—spanning only a fraction of the country due to the ongoing civil war.
- A Managed Landslide: The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has dominated the results. After the first two rounds, the USDP had already secured approximately 85% of the contested seats in the lower house and two-thirds of those in the upper house.
- The Constitutional Safety Net: Even before a single vote was cast, the military held 25% of all parliamentary seats by law. Combined with the USDP’s wins, the military bloc already commands nearly 400 seats, far exceeding the 294 needed to form a government.
- The Excluded Electorate: Voting was cancelled in roughly one-fifth to one-third of the country’s townships. Regions controlled by resistance forces or ethnic armed organizations were entirely bypassed, leaving millions of citizens without a voice.
Key Data & Atmosphere
| Feature | Details |
| Voter Turnout | Estimated at 55%, a sharp decline from the 70% seen in the 2020 democratic landslide. |
| Suppression | The “Election Protection Law” remains in effect, threatening critics or boycotters with long prison terms or the death penalty. |
| Next President | Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing is widely expected to be selected as President by the new Parliament. |
| Official Results | Expected by the end of this week, with the new government taking office in April 2026. |
The Global Verdict
The international response has been sharply divided, reflecting the deep geopolitical rift over Myanmar’s future:
- The Critics: The UN, EU, UK, and Australia have rejected the election’s legitimacy. Significantly, ASEAN (led by Malaysia) refused to send observers or certify the results, citing a lack of inclusive participation.
- The Supporters: China, Russia, and India sent observers or provided diplomatic backing, viewing the election as a stabilizing step toward a managed civilian-military transition.
“The junta is banking on the world’s fatigue… hoping the international community will accept military rule dressed up in civilian clothing.”
— Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar
