Myanmar's Controversial Election Enters Final Phase

Myanmar's controversial election reached its final phase on January 25, 2026, marking the culmination of a month-long voting process that critics argue serves only to legitimize military rule. The timing carries profound symbolic weight, occurring just one week before the fifth anniversary of the February 2021 military coup that overthrew the country's democratically elected government.

As ballots are counted across the nation, the dominant pro-military party appears positioned for a decisive victory in what international observers characterize as a junta-controlled electoral process. The outcome raises urgent questions about Myanmar's political future and the international community's response to what many view as a sham election designed to cement military authority.

The election's concluding round began on Sunday, bringing to a close a carefully orchestrated process that has unfolded over four weeks. Unlike democratic elections, this junta-run vote has systematically excluded the primary opposition party and restricted independent monitoring, creating conditions that favor the military-backed establishment.

The dominant pro-military party has maintained a commanding position throughout the campaign period, benefiting from state resources and media control while opposition voices remain marginalized. This structural advantage has positioned the party for what observers describe as a landslide victory across multiple regions.

Key aspects of the electoral process include:

• Restricted participation by opposition parties
• Limited international observation access
• State-controlled media coverage favoring military candidates
• Security forces overseeing polling stations

The final phase represents the culmination of what critics characterize as a theatrical exercise rather than a genuine democratic contest. With the military already holding de facto control through the State Administration Council, the election appears designed to provide a veneer of legitimacy to continued military rule.

The election's timing carries particular significance as it coincides with the approach of a somber milestone: the fifth anniversary of the February 1, 2021 military coup. On that date, the Tatmadaw (Myanmar's armed forces) seized power from the National League for Democracy, detaining civilian leaders including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.

The coup ended a decade of tentative democratic reforms that had begun in 2011, plunging Myanmar into renewed conflict and instability. Since 2021, the country has experienced:

• Widespread civil disobedience movements
• Intensified armed conflict with ethnic resistance groups
• Economic collapse and international isolation
• Humanitarian crises affecting millions of civilians

Against this backdrop, the election represents the junta's attempt to transition from military rule to a civilian-military hybrid government while maintaining ultimate authority. The military-drafted 2008 constitution provides mechanisms for military control regardless of electoral outcomes, including reserved parliamentary seats for military appointees and veto powers over constitutional amendments.

The international community has largely rejected the legitimacy of Myanmar's electoral process. Major democratic nations and human rights organizations have condemned the election as a political theater designed to legitimize military rule rather than restore democratic governance.

Critics argue the election will only serve to entrench the army's hold on power.

The United Nations and regional bodies have faced criticism for their limited ability to influence the situation. Despite widespread condemnation, the military junta has proceeded with its electoral plans, demonstrating the limited leverage of international diplomatic pressure.

Key international positions include:

• Refusal to recognize election results as legitimate
• Continued sanctions on military leaders and state enterprises
• Humanitarian aid programs bypassing government channels
• Diplomatic isolation of the junta leadership

The election's outcome will likely determine whether international sanctions intensify or whether some nations pursue engagement with the new civilian-military hybrid government, despite its questionable democratic credentials.

Myanmar's election carries profound implications for the country's 54 million people and the broader Southeast Asian region. The military's continued dominance threatens to prolong the civil conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands and created one of Asia's most severe humanitarian crises.

For the Myanmar people, the election represents a false choice between military-backed candidates and parties that have been systematically marginalized. The absence of meaningful opposition participation means the outcome is predetermined, offering no pathway to restore civilian democratic governance.

Critical stakes include:

• Humanitarian access to conflict-affected regions
• Economic recovery and international investment
• Regional stability and border security
• Protection of ethnic minorities

The international community faces difficult decisions about engagement versus isolation. While sanctions have targeted the military's financial interests, they have also contributed to economic hardship for ordinary citizens. The election's outcome may force a recalibration of diplomatic strategies, even as the fundamental question of military versus civilian rule remains unresolved.

As Myanmar's election concludes, the military's hold on power appears more secure than ever. The dominant pro-military party's anticipated landslide victory will likely produce a parliament dominated by military appointees and their allies, creating a civilian facade over continued military rule.

The international community must now decide how to respond to this new reality. Engagement with the junta-run government risks legitimizing military rule, while continued isolation may further harm ordinary citizens without changing the political calculus in Naypyidaw.

For Myanmar's people, the election's end marks not a new democratic beginning but the continuation of a struggle that began five years ago. The fundamental conflict between military authority and civilian aspirations for democracy remains unresolved, suggesting that the country's political crisis will persist regardless of the election's formal conclusion.