Myanmar recently began its multi-phase election, the first since the military coup of February 2021. Unfortunately, this celebratory event has been widely condemned from pretty much all sides. Both civil society and governments around the world condemned the election as a sham. To further legitimize its rule, the military can be expected to deploy a slate of proxy candidates. The first phase of the election happened June 19, affecting 102 of Myanmar’s 330 townships.
More than 4,800 candidates from 57 different political parties are competing for national and regional legislature seats. Additionally, only six parties are contesting on a national level. This can be damaging to both the fairness of the process and its perceived legitimacy. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is expected to take over as president after the elections.
Criticism from Human Rights Advocates
This year’s election has been subjected to extraordinarily close scrutiny by international observers. Tom Andrews, the UN-appointed human rights expert for Myanmar, criticized the electoral process, asserting that it represents “a theater of the absurd performed at gunpoint.” His remarks unmask the oppressive atmosphere under which these elections are taking place, even raising questions as to their possible outcomes.
The elections are planned in three rounds, with the second and third rounds scheduled for January 11 and January 25. Approximately 65 electoral townships are completely disenfranchised from the electoral process due to persistent war zones. This perfect storm cannot be underestimated as it further complicates an already acute national political climate.
Voter Turnout Falls Short
Early data suggests that voter turnout is down strikingly across the country versus 2016 and 2018. In the most extreme case, one polling station in Yangon recorded just 37 percent of registered voters turning out. That number is shocking when we consider the turnout we saw in the 2020 election. At that time, Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy Party (NLD) was the overwhelming leader of the political scene. The NLD was dissolved in 2023 after it refused to register under new military regulations, leaving a political void that many believe will not be filled by other parties.
Analysts remain concerned over the military junta’s hold over the electoral process. Sadly, this circumstance creates a cloud over the legitimacy of any elected leaders who might come out of this election. Still, observers worry that the military will use its proxy candidates to thoroughly snuff out any hint of democratic governance.
Future Implications and Expectations
Final results from this historic election are expected by February. Myanmar’s federal government has faced a fraught political landscape. The stakes of these elections are even greater, impacting far more than just the number of legislative seats awarded. With the military still exerting vast power, extremely urgent issues remain for ordinary people. International observers are just as concerned about the means it employs to justify that power.
