Myanmar's Military-Organized General Election Faces Intense Scrutiny

In Myanmar, civil servants are facing pressure to prove their participation in the military-organized general election, set to begin its first phase on 28 December 2025. Reports indicate that employees in Naypyidaw received directives on 26 December, warning that failure to vote would result in personal repercussions. An employee stated, “They told us we must vote, and that if we don’t, we’ll have to solve our own problems.” This coercive environment extends to the Bago Region, where employees were similarly instructed to submit evidence of their voting. Additionally, university students have reportedly been compelled to cast advance votes under supervision. These tactics have drawn international condemnation, including remarks from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, who called for an end to intimidation and violence surrounding the voting process.

Myanmar junta compels civil servants to report proof of votingForeign election observers arrive in Myanmar as sham polls begin

Election observation teams from seven countries, including China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Cambodia, and Vietnam, arrived in Myanmar on 26 December to monitor the election. This follows a delegation from Belarus that arrived on Christmas Day. These nations have maintained ties with the military junta since the 2021 coup, contrasting sharply with the stance of Western governments and international rights organizations, which view the election as a means to legitimize military rule. Notably, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has declined to send an official observation mission, emphasizing that credible elections require a cessation of violence and inclusive political dialogue.

Foreign election observers arrive in Myanmar as sham polls beginMyanmar junta compels civil servants to report proof of voting

The military-led election is structured in three phases, starting with 102 townships on 28 December, followed by additional phases on 11 January and 25 January. However, the junta has acknowledged that voting will not occur in 56 townships and nearly 3,000 wards and village tracts due to ongoing conflict. Independent monitoring bodies, such as the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), have also opted out of participation, citing a lack of minimum democratic standards for transparency and safety.

Foreign election observers arrive in Myanmar as sham polls begin

Revolutionary forces and domestic civil society groups have called for a total boycott of the elections, labeling them a “sham” aimed at undermining the results of the 2020 elections, which were won by the National League for Democracy (NLD). The junta justified its power seizure by alleging voter fraud in 2020, claims that were dismissed by both the previous Union Election Commission and international observers.

Foreign election observers arrive in Myanmar as sham polls begin

While the military claims to be facilitating a return to multiparty democracy, opposition groups and international monitors widely criticize the election process. The extent of territorial control by the military is also in question, with significant areas excluded from voting due to security risks.

Foreign election observers arrive in Myanmar as sham polls begin

• “They told us we must vote, and that if we don’t, we’ll have to solve our own problems,” — Naypyidaw Civil Servant

Myanmar junta compels civil servants to report proof of voting

• “Revolutionary forces and domestic civil society groups have called for a total boycott of the polls, which they describe as a “sham” designed to replace the results of the 2020 landslide victory by the National League for Democracy (NLD).” — Revolutionary Forces Statement

Foreign election observers arrive in Myanmar as sham polls begin