Voters in war-torn Myanmar cast ballots on Sunday (Jan 11) in the second phase of a nationwide election that has been widely criticised by opposition groups, rights advocates and Western governments as neither free nor fair. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is on track for a decisive victory, as the ruling junta seeks to project political normalcy despite ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian crisis.
Polling stations opened at 6am local time across 100 townships, spanning parts of Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay, Bago and Tanintharyi regions, as well as Mon, Shan, Kachin, Kayah and Kayin states. Many of these areas have experienced clashes between junta forces and resistance groups in recent months, with heavy security deployed around polling centres underscoring the volatile conditions under which the vote is being held.
The election is taking place in three stages due to widespread fighting. The first round was held on Dec 28 in 102 of Myanmar’s 330 townships. Sunday’s vote marked the second phase, with a final round scheduled for Jan 25. However, authorities have acknowledged that at least 65 townships will not participate at all because of security concerns.
Observers say turnout in the first phase was low, despite official efforts to present the process as successful. Analysts argue that participation has been driven as much by fear as by political engagement. A 42-year-old resident of Yangon said he voted only to avoid potential repercussions.
“I cast my ballot, but not for the USDP,” he said, requesting anonymity. “I voted for another party. I don’t even remember the name.”
Richard Horsey, senior Myanmar adviser for the International Crisis Group, said the outcome was largely predetermined. “The USDP is on track for a landslide victory, which is hardly a surprise given the extent to which the playing field was tilted in its favour,” he said, citing the disbanding of opposition parties and election laws designed to suppress dissent.
The election comes nearly four years after the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, triggering mass protests, violent crackdowns and a nationwide armed resistance. Thousands of political opponents have since been detained, and independent media outlets have been shut down.
Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, urged the international community to reject what he described as a “sham election”. He said the first phase of voting was marred by coercion, violence and political exclusion.
“You cannot have a free, fair or credible election when thousands of political prisoners are behind bars, credible opposition parties have been dissolved, journalists are muzzled, and fundamental freedoms are crushed,” Andrews said.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, more than 22,000 people remain imprisoned for political reasons.
While more than 4,800 candidates from 57 parties are contesting seats in national and regional legislatures, only six parties are competing nationwide with any realistic prospect of influence. Myanmar’s two-house parliament has 664 seats, with the military guaranteed 25 per cent of seats in each chamber under the constitution, giving it decisive power over any future government.
The junta has argued that the election will restore political stability and offer a path forward for the country, which is facing one of Asia’s gravest humanitarian crises. At least 16,600 civilians have been killed since the coup, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, while the United Nations estimates that 3.6 million people have been displaced.
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing last week hailed the vote as a success and urged officials to boost turnout. “The people have a strong desire to participate in the democratic process,” state media quoted him as saying.
However, analysts warn that any military-controlled administration emerging from the polls is unlikely to gain broad international recognition and may struggle to govern amid continuing conflict and resistance.
