Myanmar votes in final phase of junta-run election widely dismissed as a sham

Voters in Myanmar went to the polls on Sunday, January 25, 2026, for the final phase of a three-stage general election that has unfolded over nearly a month. The conclusion of voting was expected to lock in control of the legislature for the military and its allied political forces, with critics arguing the outcome had effectively been decided before ballots were cast. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/48f9f80748a23ce4ac9d7a1ea476f1f4))

The election took place against the backdrop of the 2021 coup that removed the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and plunged the country into prolonged conflict. Observers and rights groups have described the vote as neither free nor fair, pointing to the removal of major opposition actors, restrictions on campaigning and press freedoms, and pervasive intimidation. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/48f9f80748a23ce4ac9d7a1ea476f1f4))

A major structural factor shaping the result is Myanmar’s constitutional framework, which reserves 25% of seats in both houses for the military. With the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) already winning heavily in earlier rounds, the final phase was widely seen as formalizing a parliamentary majority that would allow the junta’s allies to steer the next government formation process. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/48f9f80748a23ce4ac9d7a1ea476f1f4))

Security conditions also constrained participation. Fighting across the country meant voting did not take place in a significant share of townships, undermining nationwide representation and reinforcing claims that the process was designed to function under military control rather than through broad competition. Regional officials noted that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) did not send observers and would not certify the election, citing concerns about inclusivity and freedom. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/48f9f80748a23ce4ac9d7a1ea476f1f4))

Supporters of the ruling authorities have framed the election as a step toward political normalization, while opponents say it is intended to provide a veneer of legitimacy to continued military dominance. Analysts expect that, regardless of the formal election timeline, the country’s underlying conflict dynamics and political repression will remain unresolved, with limited prospects for genuine reconciliation unless broader political participation is restored. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/25/myanmar-election-enters-final-stage-amid-airstrikes-and-exclusions))