In brief
Myanmar will hold its first general election since the 2021 coup on December 28, 2025, despite widespread skepticism regarding its legitimacy amidst ongoing civil war and military struggles.
The military administration in Myanmar has committed to holding a general election on December 28, 2025, marking the first electoral event since the junta's 2021 coup that overthrew democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. This election, described by critics as a facade to consolidate power, has raised serious concerns due to ongoing national unrest and civil conflict.The election was confirmed by Myanmar's election commission in a statement, outlining it as a multi-phase process with subsequent phases yet to be announced. As many as 55 parties are reportedly registered to participate, but the influential National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Suu Kyi will be barred from contesting. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has asserted that the elections will be "free and fair," a claim met with skepticism, especially considering that significant portions of the country remain under the control of opposition forces, who have vowed to obstruct the elections in their territories. The military has faced mounting resistance, and the situation has spiraled into a full-scale civil war characterized by violence and unrest.Observers fear that the junta will attempt to legitimize its rule through the elections by relying on proxy parties. Previously delayed due to escalating violence and a growing insurgency, the electoral process demands strategic and logistical execution from the military leadership facing harsh criticism from international organizations. Tom Andrews, the UN's special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, called the upcoming elections an "illusion," urging the global community to denounce them and not allow the military to project a façade of legitimacy.As Myanmar also grapples with humanitarian crises exacerbated by economic collapse, the repercussions of an unstable political landscape continue to threaten the well-being of its citizens. Organizations like Human Rights Watch emphasize that for an election to be credible, conditions must improve: hostilities must cease, political prisoners released, and all political parties allowed to participate fully.
