Voters in Myanmar headed to polling stations on Sunday for the second phase of a military organised election that critics say is designed to entrench junta rule rather than restore democratic governance.
The vote comes nearly four years after the armed forces seized power in a 2021 coup, triggering a nationwide conflict that has displaced millions and left large parts of the country outside government control. International observers and rights groups have repeatedly questioned the credibility of the election, citing the absence of a genuine opposition and widespread violence.
The first round of voting, held on December 28, produced a low turnout of just over 52 percent, according to official figures. That was sharply lower than participation in the 2020 and 2015 elections, both of which were won decisively by civilian parties.
The military aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party emerged as the clear frontrunner, securing 90 of the 102 lower house seats contested so far. Analysts say the result reflects a tightly controlled process rather than popular support.
Richard Horsey, senior Myanmar adviser at the International Crisis Group, said the outcome was predictable. He noted that the party was benefiting from an uneven political environment that removed meaningful challengers and restricted opposition activity.
Myanmar has been engulfed in civil war since the overthrow of the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who remains in detention. Her National League for Democracy party, which swept the 2020 vote, was dissolved along with dozens of other anti junta groups after they failed to register for the new polls.
Rebel movements and resistance forces have refused to participate, saying the election lacks legitimacy. The United Nations and several Western governments have echoed that view, describing the process as neither free nor fair in the current conditions.
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Sunday’s balloting marked the second stage of the election, with a final round scheduled for January 25. In total, voting is planned in 265 of Myanmar’s 330 townships, including areas where the military does not have full authority.
Despite the violence and political uncertainty, some residents lined up to cast ballots, while others stayed away amid safety concerns and doubts about the process.
