Yangon, August 18: Myanmar’s military-backed authorities on Monday announced that the first phase of the country’s general election will be held on December 28, marking the first nationwide polls since the 2021 coup that plunged the nation into turmoil.
According to state broadcaster MRTV, the election will be conducted in multiple phases over December and January, with dates for later rounds to be announced based on security conditions. The Union Election Commission has registered 55 political parties, of which nine plan to contest nationwide, while six more await approval.
The announcement comes as Myanmar continues to reel from widespread armed resistance against the ruling junta led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Since seizing power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in February 2021, the military has faced international isolation and condemnation, with Western governments dismissing the upcoming polls as a “sham” designed to legitimise military rule.
Despite the turmoil, authorities said voting would be held in more than 300 constituencies, including areas under the control of anti-junta armed groups. A nationwide census was conducted last year to update voter rolls, though it covered only 145 of the country’s 330 townships due to security challenges.
Critics argue the exclusion of opposition parties and refusal of pro-democracy groups to participate will ensure the polls are dominated by military-backed proxies, further entrenching the junta’s grip on powe
