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 a senior USDP official who spoke with AFP news agency, 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 alleging the tightly controlled vote is designed to solidify the ruling party's power. Voting was cancelled in 65 townships across the country. The electoral process is scheduled to continue with two further rounds on 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 sparked 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, including international observers and human rights organizations, have raised concerns about the fairness and legitimacy of the current elections. Restrictions on independent media, the arrest and detention of opposition figures, and the exclusion of certain political parties from participating have all been cited as factors undermining the credibility of the electoral process. The NLD, which won a landslide victory in the 2020 elections, has been banned, and many of its leaders remain in detention.

The military junta has defended the elections as a necessary step towards restoring stability and national unity. They claim the 2020 elections were marred by fraud, allegations rejected by independent observers. The junta has promised to hold fresh elections after a period of transition, but has not provided a clear timeline.

The outcome of these elections and their impact on Myanmar's political landscape remain uncertain. 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 direction of the country.