Myanmar’s military-backed party has secured a dominant lead following the first phase of the country’s first general election since the 2021 coup. Early results released by the state-run Union Election Commission (UEC) confirm that the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), led by retired generals, has won 38 out of the first 40 seats tallied for the lower house. While the ruling junta describes the three-phase vote as a necessary step toward political stability, international observers and human rights groups have widely condemned the process as a "sham."

Low Turnout and Allegations of Fear

Official data indicates a 52% voter turnout, a significant drop from the roughly 70% seen in the 2015 and 2020 elections. Critics argue that even this figure is inflated or driven by coercion. In cities like Yangon, residents reported a climate of anxiety, with many voting only to avoid potential military retaliation or forced conscription.

A One-Sided Race

The lopsided results were largely expected. The National League for Democracy (NLD), formerly led by the detained Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, was dissolved last year after refusing to register under strict new military laws. With the primary opposition removed, the USDP faced little competition outside of a few small, ethnic-based parties.

The election is being held in three stages, with the next rounds scheduled for January 11 and January 25. However, large portions of the country are excluded from the vote due to ongoing civil war and resistance control. Despite the lack of domestic and Western legitimacy, the junta maintains support from regional allies like China and Russia.

Key Takeaways

• Military Dominance: The junta-backed USDP has won the vast majority of early seats, consolidating the military's grip on formal political power.

• International Backlash: The UN and Western nations have dismissed the election as a "theatre of the absurd" due to the exclusion of the NLD and the imprisonment of opposition leaders.

• Fragile Turnout: Voter participation has plummeted compared to previous democratic polls, reflecting widespread public distrust and fear under the current regime.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Guardian 2026-01-04

 

 

 

This is a farce not an election. Absolute disgrace.