Burma – Myanmar’s military leader, General Min Aung Hlaing, has announced that the country will hold its first general election since the military coup in 2021. The election is set to take place either in December 2025 or by January 2026, according to a statement published in the state-run newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar.
During a state visit to Belarus , Min Aung Hlaing assured that the elections would be conducted in a “free and fair” manner. He further stated that 53 political parties had already submitted their applications to participate in the upcoming polls. The junta chief also invited observation teams from Belarus to monitor the election process.
The announcement comes amid ongoing political turmoil in Myanmar, where the military seized power in 2021 after making unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 general election. That election was overwhelmingly won by the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The military has since engaged in a widespread crackdown on opposition voices and has repeatedly delayed election plans, which critics argue will not be truly democratic.
Political and Security Concerns
Myanmar’s political landscape remains fraught with conflict, as pro-democracy resistance groups, including the People’s Defence Forces and various ethnic rebel factions, continue to challenge military rule. The military junta has struggled to maintain control over several regions, leading to widespread violence and instability across the country.
The junta-dominated election commission had previously announced in 2022 that Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD party would be dissolved for failing to comply with a new military-imposed electoral law. This decision has drawn widespread condemnation from the international community.
At a regional conference in Bangkok last December, Myanmar’s junta-appointed Foreign Minister Than Swe informed officials from five neighboring countries that efforts were being made to hold the elections in 2025. However, in January, the junta extended the state of emergency for another six months, effectively delaying the election process further.
International Reactions and Humanitarian Crisis
The United States and other international actors have expressed deep skepticism over the upcoming elections. The U.S. government has previously dismissed any polls conducted under the junta’s rule as a “sham.” In February, a joint statement released by electoral experts through the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance categorically rejected the military’s plans for an election, citing concerns over transparency and fairness.
Southeast Asian foreign ministers, during a summit in Malaysia in January, urged the junta to halt its ongoing civil war before proceeding with any electoral process. However, General Min Aung Hlaing insisted that “peace and stability are still needed” before an election could be conducted and the emergency rule lifted.
Since the coup, over 28,000 people have been arrested, and more than 6,300 have been killed, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). Additionally, more than 3.5 million individuals have been displaced due to the ongoing violence. The United Nations estimates that by 2025, nearly 19.9 million people—over one-third of Myanmar’s population—will require humanitarian assistance.
As Myanmar inches closer to a possible election, concerns remain over the legitimacy and security of the electoral process. With opposition groups still actively resisting military rule and international observers voicing doubts, the path to a democratic transition remains highly uncertain. The months leading up to the proposed elections will be crucial in determining whether Myanmar can genuinely move toward a stable and representative government.
