Myanmar's ruling military junta is set to commence a controversial national election this week, the first since it seized power in a 2021 coup. The generals claim the poll marks a return to democracy, but critics and international observers widely condemn it as a heavily restricted sham designed to cement their power.
A Controlled Electoral Process
The first phase of voting is scheduled to begin at 6am on 28 December, encompassing over 100 townships including the commercial hub, Yangon. A second round is planned for 11 January, with details of a potential third phase still pending. The election unfolds against the backdrop of a raging civil war, triggered by the coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's democratically elected government.
While 57 parties will appear on the ballot, the political landscape is severely constrained. Only six parties are running nationwide, with the rest confined to single states or regions. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has fielded the most candidates and faces no meaningful opposition in dozens of constituencies.
Significantly, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), which won a landslide in the 2020 election, has been dissolved. According to the monitoring group Anfrel, parties that received over 70% of the vote and 90% of seats in 2020 no longer exist.
Atmosphere of Fear and Repression
The United Nations, several countries, and human rights groups have labelled the process a sham. UN human rights chief Volker Türk stated the vote is occurring in an atmosphere of "violence and repression." The junta has enacted draconian laws forbidding any disruption or criticism of the poll, with penalties ranging from three years imprisonment to the death penalty.
More than 200 people have been arrested under this legislation. Targets include young people distributing boycott stickers, artists and film directors posting on social media, and journalists. Voting will not be held in large, rebel-held areas of the country, disenfranchising millions.
International Reactions and Aung San Suu Kyi's Shadow
International response is divided. Myanmar's key ally, China, supports the election, viewing it as a path to stability. In contrast, many Western governments reject its legitimacy. The United States, a former strong critic, has sent mixed signals, recently lifting some sanctions and citing governance improvements—a move rights groups fiercely dispute.
The absence of Aung San Suu Kyi looms large. The former de facto leader, still revered by many in Myanmar as a symbol of democracy, remains in military detention, serving a 27-year sentence on charges widely seen as politically motivated. Her son, Kim Aris, speaking from Britain, said, "I don't think she would consider these elections to be meaningful in any way."
Dismissing foreign criticism, junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun asserted the election is "not being held for the international community." As voting begins, the process appears designed not to reflect the popular will, but to provide a veneer of legitimacy for continued military rule amid a devastating civil conflict.
