Overseas Myanmar voters shun junta’s election

Overseas Myanmar citizens are overwhelmingly refusing to take part in the junta‑organised election, with turnout at embassies across Asia described as almost non‑existent. Advance voting stations were opened at 50 embassies, missions and consulates from 1 December, but anecdotal reports suggest that many saw only a handful of voters — if any at all.

In Thailand, home to more than 4.1 million Myanmar nationals, labour activists say participation has collapsed compared with the 2020 general election. “We were forced to come here by what the military did. Now they want us to vote for them. Why should we?” one migrant worker said. Activist U Aung Kyaw noted that, unlike in 2020, no workers sought help to register, calling it a clear sign of a widespread boycott.

A similar picture is emerging in South Korea, where over 60,000 Myanmar citizens live. Fewer than 25 people reportedly turned up during the initial two‑day voting window at the embassy in Seoul, prompting officials to extend the period until 12 December. Anti‑junta groups staged protests outside the embassy, accusing the regime of using the vote to legitimise repression. “Every ballot cast for the junta is another bullet and bomb against our people,” one protester said.

Embassies in Singapore, Malaysia and Japan have also reported negligible turnout. Many overseas citizens say they refuse to participate in what they view as a staged process. One Myanmar national in Singapore said: “We remember how the military crushed peaceful protesters.

Why waste time legitimising their fake election? If they can’t win votes, they’ll simply steal them.”

Some embassies have posted photos of advance voting on Facebook, but none have released actual numbers. Activists dismiss the images as an attempt to mask the lack of participation. “No one came,” U Aung Kyaw said. “They are embarrassed, so they extend the dates. But people won’t go.”

Official figures suggest 1.12 million Myanmar citizens live abroad, though the junta’s census excluded more than 19 million people in conflict zones, meaning the real number overseas is likely far higher.

The regime plans to hold voting in three phases — 28 December, 11 January and 25 January — but only 274 of Myanmar’s 330 townships will participate. In conflict‑affected areas such as Rakhine and Chin, balloting will be limited to urban centres, leaving large parts of the population effectively disenfranchised.

-2025-12-14