Myanmar's military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has secured a sweeping victory in the country's first general election since the 2021 coup, state media reported. The USDP won 232 of 263 seats in the lower house and 109 of 157 seats announced in the upper house, cementing an outcome widely expected amid civil war and repression.
The three-phase election, which concluded in late January, was denounced as a sham by human rights groups and some Western countries. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) also refused to endorse the process. Critics say the poll was designed to entrench military rule, with Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy dissolved and dozens of other parties barred or choosing to boycott.
Under Myanmar's constitution, the military is guaranteed 25% of parliamentary seats, ensuring continued control even after power is formally transferred to a civilian-led administration. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is expected to play a central role in the next government, which is set to take over in April.
Turnout was around 55%, lower than previous elections, partly due to voting being cancelled in areas affected by ongoing fighting between the military and armed ethnic groups. The junta insists the polls were free and fair, but the UN reports around 3.6 million people have been displaced since the coup.
