Myanmar Junta Pushes Ahead with Controversial Elections Amid War and Boycotts
MMNN | June 26, 2025 – YANGON
Myanmar’s military regime has announced plans to hold national elections between December 2025 and January 2026, despite ongoing armed conflict, international condemnation, and widespread boycotts. The announcement was made by junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during a national security conference in Naypyidaw, according to state-run newspaper The Global New Light of Myanmar.
The proposed elections are part of the military’s narrative of returning to civilian rule following the February 2021 coup that toppled the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup triggered a nationwide uprising, followed by a brutal civil war that continues to displace civilians and devastate communities.
A “Sham” Vote in a War Zone
Critics say the planned elections are illegitimate and performative, as much of the country remains under the control of anti-junta resistance forces and ethnic armed groups. Major opposition parties, including the National Unity Government (NUG) and other pro-democracy forces, have declared they will not participate in what they view as a “military-orchestrated farce.”
“The junta is trying to create a mirage of an election to justify its power grab,” said Tom Andrews, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Myanmar. Speaking from Geneva, he stated, “You cannot have genuine elections when opposition leaders are imprisoned, tortured, or executed, and when free speech and journalism are outlawed.”
Security and Logistics in Question
The junta has not clarified whether the elections will be held on a single day or in multiple phases—a sign of the regime’s inability to ensure national security across all regions.
According to its own census figures from last year, the military admitted it could not collect population data from nearly 19 million out of 51 million people, citing “security constraints.”
Despite this, Min Aung Hlaing stated:
“We are currently making the necessary preparations to hold the elections as widely and extensively as possible. Most importantly, the elections must be free and fair.”
Ground Reality: War, Repression, and Impunity
The military’s forces are losing ground rapidly to resistance coalitions, including both ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and local People’s Defence Forces (PDFs). This reality raises serious doubts about the viability and integrity of any upcoming electoral process.
Moreover, the regime continues to receive military support from China and Russia, allowing it to maintain airpower and logistical capability even as its control over territory weakens.
International Reactions and Human Rights Concerns
The international community, including human rights groups and democratic governments, remain firmly opposed to the junta’s electoral plans, citing systemic abuses, widespread displacement, and the absence of civil liberties.
As preparations move forward, observers warn that these elections may not only fail to restore democracy, but could also further entrench military rule under the guise of civilian governance.
MMNN will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on ground conditions and legal developments related to Myanmar’s political transition.
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