Myanmar's main pro-military party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), claimed a significant lead in the initial phase of elections organized by the country's military rulers. According to AFP, a senior USDP official stated the party secured 82 out of 102 seats in the lower house of the legislature following the first round of voting on Sunday, December 28, 2025.
The elections, however, have drawn criticism, with many suggesting the tightly controlled vote is designed to solidify the ruling party's power. Voting was cancelled in 65 townships across the country, raising further concerns about the fairness and inclusivity of the electoral process. Two additional rounds of voting are scheduled for January 11 and January 25.
These elections are the first since the military seized power in a coup in February 2021, ousting the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup triggered widespread protests and a civil disobedience movement, which the military responded to with force. The USDP, backed by the military, governed Myanmar from 2011 to 2015, before losing power to Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD).
Critics argue that the current electoral framework, overseen by the military junta, lacks legitimacy. The NLD, which won a landslide victory in the 2020 elections, has been dissolved, and many of its leaders and supporters have been arrested or forced into hiding. International observers have also expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and the restrictions placed on independent media.
The outcome of these elections will likely have significant implications for Myanmar's future. If the USDP maintains its lead, it would further entrench the military's control over the country and potentially prolong the ongoing conflict. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with many countries calling for a return to democracy and the release of political prisoners. The next rounds of voting will be crucial in determining the overall outcome and the future political landscape of Myanmar.
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