Myanmar's Controversial Elections Set to Proceed Amid Ongoing Conflict

Myanmar's military junta has confirmed that it will hold its first general elections since the 2021 coup on December 28, 2025, a move criticized as a tactic to solidify power amid civil war and opposition dissent.

Myanmar's military government has declared that general elections will take place on December 28, 2025, marking the first electoral exercise since the coup in 2021 that ousted democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. This announcement has been met with skepticism and condemnation, as many view it as a maneuver to legitimize the junta's rule amid ongoing conflict and civil unrest.

The elections are set against a backdrop of a protracted civil war that has left thousands dead and displaced many more, with ethnic armed groups vowing to obstruct the polling in regions they control. State media reported that approximately 55 political parties have registered to participate, though the National League for Democracy, which achieved overwhelming victories in prior elections, has been barred from contesting.

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing, who spearheaded the coup, has claimed that the elections will be "free and fair." However, critics, including the United Nations' special rapporteur on human rights, Tom Andrews, have branded the electoral process a sham. They argue that it serves merely to create an illusion of legitimacy while the military continues its repressive regime against dissenters.

Support for the elections appears limited, with concerns looming over the potential for violent reprisals against those opposing the junta's plans. A number of NGOs and international observers have issued dire warnings, highlighting that for the elections to be credible, significant political reforms and humanitarian considerations need to be put in place. As Myanmar grapples with widespread humanitarian crises and the lingering effects of a devastating earthquake, many wonder if the upcoming polls will bring any semblance of stability or simply underscore the junta's grip on power.