Myanmar concludes multistage general election as junta tightens grip on power

Myanmar’s multi-phased general election ended on Sunday as the final round of voting took place across the conflict-torn nation. Critics and international observers have dismissed the month-long exercise as a “sham” designed to provide a veneer of legitimacy to the military junta that seized power in a February 2021 coup. With the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) claiming a landslide in the initial phases, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is widely expected to assume the presidency when the new parliament convenes in March.

The election was held amidst a brutal civil war that prevented voting in over 20% of the country’s townships. The exclusion of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), which was dissolved after refusing to comply with draconian registration laws, has left millions of voters without a democratic alternative. While regional bloc ASEAN refused to observe or recognize the polls, citing a lack of inclusivity, countries like Russia and China sent observers, highlighting the deep geopolitical divide surrounding the crisis.

Under the regime’s new “Election Protection Law,” dissent has been stifled, with over 400 individuals charged for criticizing the electoral process. Despite the junta’s promises of a transition to civilian rule by April, the military’s constitutionally guaranteed 25% of parliamentary seats ensures that the Tatmadaw will remain the ultimate arbiter of power, regardless of the official results.