Myanmar's military-backed political party has taken a commanding lead following the first phase of a contentious general election, the first to be held since the 2021 coup. Early results cited by state media show the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) winning by a wide margin, despite a notably thin voter turnout that has drawn international criticism.
Early Results Show Commanding Lead for Junta-Backed Party
Partial results released by the Union Election Commission (UEC) for 56 constituencies show the USDP, which is led by retired generals, securing a dominant position. The party has won 38 of the 40 seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw, or lower house, where outcomes have been tallied so far.
Among a diminished field of competitors approved by the military, the USDP also secured 14 of the 15 regional or State Hluttaw seats counted under the first-past-the-post system. The Akha National Development party took the remaining seat. For the upper house, or Amyotha Hluttaw, only one seat has been declared, which was won by the Wa National party.
Low Turnout and International Condemnation
The ruling junta, which seized power in 2021 and sparked a nationwide rebellion, has stated the three-phase vote would bring political stability. However, the reported turnout of 52% for the first phase has been described as low by observers. This figure falls significantly short of the approximately 70% turnout seen in the 2015 and 2020 general elections, according to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.
The election has been widely criticised by the United Nations, several Western nations, and human rights groups. Key opposition forces, including the National League for Democracy (NLD) of deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi, have been barred from participating. The NLD has been dissolved, and Suu Kyi remains in detention after her party's landslide victory in 2020 was overturned by the military.
Future Rounds and Broader Implications
No date has been set for the final election result. The election panel has opted to release partial results on a constituency-by-constituency basis without revealing the total number of constituencies voting in this initial phase. Two further rounds of voting are scheduled for 11 January and 25 January, covering 265 of Myanmar's 330 townships.
Analysts suggest the junta's attempt to establish a stable, civilian-veneered government in the midst of an ongoing civil war is fraught with risk. They also indicate that broad foreign recognition for any military-controlled administration is unlikely. The path ahead for Myanmar remains deeply uncertain as the electoral process continues under a cloud of controversy and conflict.
