Campaigning has begun in Myanmar ahead of a December 28 election that critics at home and abroad have already dismissed as a political charade designed to legitimise military rule.

 

The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) kicked off its campaign this week with events in Naypyitaw and Yangon. But with the main opposition parties—including Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD)—banned from participating, the vote is widely seen as lacking credibility.

 

Rights groups such as Human Rights Watch have labelled the election a “sham,” while the European Commission and ASEAN have declined to send observers, citing concerns over fairness and transparency.

 

The military, which seized power in a 2021 coup, claims the election is a step toward reconciliation in a country fractured by civil war. Yet voting will not take place in one in seven constituencies, many of which are active conflict zones. Armed resistance groups have vowed to disrupt the process and are calling for a boycott.

 

Fifty-seven parties have registered to run, but in the absence of any credible opposition, the USDP is expected to dominate. Public enthusiasm appears muted. “This election means nothing to me,” a 60-year-old man in Sittwe told AFP. “It is not a genuine election, and I see no one supporting it.”

 

Another displaced voter in Mandalay echoed the sentiment: “We are not very interested. We just want to go home.”

 

The campaign’s launch came a day after UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned the election could deepen instability. With international legitimacy slipping further from the junta’s grasp, Myanmar’s political future remains as uncertain as ever.

 

 

-2025-10-29

On 10/29/2025 at 9:58 AM, geovalin said:

With international legitimacy slipping further from the junta’s grasp, Myanmar’s political future remains as uncertain as ever.

 Great news - get rid of the Junta and then there can be free, fair and democratic elections!

On 10/30/2025 at 5:14 PM, Burma Bill said:

 Great news - get rid of the Junta and then there can be free, fair and democratic elections!

Don't hold your breath unless you like going blue in the face.

I do agree with your sentiment however.