Ballots and Bullets: Myanmar Holds First Military-Run Election in 5 Years

The military is handing out ballots, but they're still holding the guns. On December 28, 2025, voters in Myanmar headed to the polls for the first phase of a general election held under the shadow of a brutal civil war. According to The Associated Press, this marks the first national vote in 5 years since the military ousted the elected government in 2021.

A Controlled Transition Amid Conflict

The election process is divided into three phases. Sunday's initial round took place in 102 of the country's 330 townships, mainly in areas under tighter military grip like Naypyitaw and Yangon. For the first time, officials deployed electronic voting machines in an attempt to modernize a process that critics label as a mere facade for continued army rule led by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing.

Opposition groups have called for a total boycott. The National League for Democracy (NLD), which won a landslide in 2020, was dissolved in 2023. Its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, currently serves a 27-year prison term. Amael Vier, an analyst for the Asian Network for Free Elections, noted that 73% of voters from the previous election now find their chosen parties non-existent or barred.

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Humanitarian Crisis and Global Response

The human cost of the post-coup era is staggering. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reports that over 7,600 civilians have been killed since 2021, while the U.N. estimates that 3.6 million people are displaced. A new Election Protection Law has effectively banned any public criticism of the polls, adding to an atmosphere of repression.

While Western nations maintain sanctions, the military hopes the election provides an 'out' for neighbors like China and Thailand to normalize ties under the guise of promoting regional stability. The second and third phases of voting are scheduled for January 11 and January 25, with final results expected by late January.