NAYPYIDAW : Polling took place across 102 of Myanmar’s 330 townships, including major urban centres such as Yangon and the capital Naypyitaw, with voters casting ballots at high schools, government offices and religious buildings. Heavy security was visible in Yangon, where armed guards stood outside polling stations and military trucks patrolled the streets. Election officials also deployed electronic voting machines for the first time in the country’s history.

The election comes nearly four years after the military ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, triggering widespread protests that later escalated into armed resistance and civil war. Suu Kyi, now 80, is serving a 27-year prison sentence on charges widely viewed by critics as politically motivated. Her party, the National League for Democracy, which won a landslide victory in the 2020 polls, was dissolved in 2023 after refusing to re-register under new military rules.

Critics argue the current election lacks legitimacy, citing the exclusion of major political parties, restrictions on freedom of expression and an overall climate of repression. Many opposition parties declined to register or contest the vote, while resistance groups and civil society organisations called for a voter boycott. Analysts note that 73% of voters in 2020 supported parties that no longer exist, sharply limiting meaningful political choice.

More than 4,800 candidates from 57 parties are contesting seats in national and regional legislatures, but only six parties are competing nationwide with any realistic chance of gaining parliamentary influence. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party is widely expected to secure victory, raising doubts over whether the process represents a genuine transition to civilian rule.

Despite vows by opposition and armed resistance groups to disrupt the polls, no major incidents were reported during Sunday’s voting. However, a new Election Protection Law has imposed severe penalties and restrictions, effectively banning public criticism of the electoral process.

The human cost of the conflict remains stark. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, more than 22,000 people are currently detained for political reasons, while over 7,600 civilians have been killed by security forces since the 2021 takeover. The United Nations estimates that the civil war has displaced more than 3.6 million people nationwide.
U.N. Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has warned of intensified violence and intimidation, stating that conditions in Myanmar do not allow for freedom of expression or peaceful assembly.

While Western nations continue to impose sanctions on Myanmar’s ruling generals, regional neighbours such as China, India and Thailand may view the election as grounds to maintain engagement, citing stability concerns. Both supporters and critics of the military believe real power will remain with Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who led the 2021 seizure of power.

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