Myanmar Junta Prepares for Contested 2025 General Election Amid Ongoing Conflict
Myanmar's military junta is preparing for a general election scheduled for 28 December 2025, marking the first vote since their 2021 coup. The polls will be held in three phases, but the election faces widespread criticism and skepticism from Western governments and the United Nations, who dismiss it as a sham. However, China supports the election, viewing it as a path to regional stability.
The political landscape is heavily restricted following the dissolution of the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Aung San Suu Kyi, along with many ethnic and pro-democracy parties. Ultimately, 57 parties will appear on the ballots, though most are tied to or dependent on the military, and only six parties contest seats nationwide.
Significant portions of the country are excluded from voting, with 56 out of 330 townships ruled out, around 3,000 wards and village tracts canceled, meaning roughly one-third of the territory will not participate. A new election law enforces protections that penalize criticism; since July 2025, over 200 individuals have been arrested for criticizing the vote. Reports indicate door-to-door election campaigning accompanied by coercion.
The junta has intensified military operations leading up to the election, with about 30% more air and drone strikes in 2025 compared to 2024. Notably, a hospital strike in Rakhine state resulted in dozens of deaths. Conscription efforts have increased, with abductions rising by 26% this year compared to last. Many youths are fleeing to avoid military service, while ethnic armed groups have lost territory overall, though some have regained areas with Chinese support.
Analysts suggest that while the election will bolster the junta's grip on power and improve its image, it offers little genuine opposition and is unlikely to satisfy international observers or lead to a shift toward civilian governance.
