The first stage of Myanmar’s three-part election has concluded, amid ongoing criticism that the vote is a “sham.” Major political parties have been banned, opposition leaders jailed, and civil war has left much of the country unstable, with potentially half the population unable to participate.
The military government, which seized power nearly five years ago, is holding elections in phases, a move observers say aims to legitimize its rule with support from China. New laws have criminalized dissent related to the polls, with penalties including the death sentence. More than 200 people have been charged for opposing the elections.
Reports of explosions and airstrikes emerged in multiple regions during the first round. In Mandalay, a rocket hit an uninhabited home, injuring three people. In Myawaddy township near the Thai border, blasts damaged over ten houses, killing a child and sending three others to the hospital.
Some voters expressed cautious optimism. Ma Su ZarChi from Mandalay said, “Before I voted, I was afraid. Now I feel relieved. I cast my ballot as someone trying their best for the country.” First-time voter Ei Pyay Phyo Maung, 22, added, “It is every citizen’s responsibility. I hope for a leader who provides equally for all people.”
Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing defended the election, insisting it would be free and fair and called voting a step toward democracy. Voting will continue in two more phases on 11 and 25 January, covering 265 of Myanmar’s 330 townships. Many areas remain under opposition control and are considered too dangerous for polling.
Prominent figures, including film director Mike Tee, actor Kyaw Win Htut, and comedian Ohn Daing, were jailed for criticizing election-related propaganda. The UN and international observers have rejected the legitimacy of the polls, highlighting the ongoing conflict, arrests, and suppression of dissent.
The civil war has devastated Myanmar, killing thousands, displacing millions, and crippling the economy. Natural disasters and cuts to international aid have compounded the crisis. Meanwhile, six parties, including the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party, are contesting nationwide, while 51 others are running only at state or regional levels. The National League for Democracy, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, along with about 40 other parties, remains banned.
Local observers note that splitting voting into phases allows authorities to adjust tactics based on early results. Many civilians, like Ral Uk Thang from Chin state, remain skeptical: “The military does not know how to govern. They only serve high-ranking leaders. When Suu Kyi’s party was in power, we had some democracy. Now all we do is cry.”
Western governments, including the UK and the European Parliament, have dismissed the elections as illegitimate. ASEAN has urged political dialogue before any future polls.
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