Myanmar 2026 General Election 2nd Phase: Voting Amidst Civil War
Myanmar proceeds with the 2nd phase of the 2026 general election on Jan 11. UN officials label the vote a 'sham' as conflict continues across the country.
The ballots are being cast while the guns are still firing. Myanmar has kicked off the second phase of its three-part general election today, January 11, 2026. Despite a raging civil war and widespread international condemnation, the military junta is pushing forward with a vote that critics call a desperate attempt to legitimize its rule.
Myanmar 2026 General Election 2nd Phase Details
According to Reuters, polling stations opened at 6:00 AM local time across 100 townships, including regions like Sagaing and Mandalay. However, the democratic vacuum is evident. The National League for Democracy (NLD), formerly led by Aung San Suu Kyi, has been dissolved. This leaves the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) virtually unopposed.
A 'Theatrical Performance' Under Fire
The international community isn't buying it. Tom Andrews, the UN special rapporteur, slammed the election as a "theatrical performance" designed to dupe the world. It's not just rhetoric; the stakes are deadly. Laws enacted by the junta make criticizing the polls punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Currently, over 22,000 political prisoners remain in detention, highlighting the lack of a free political environment.
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