Myanmar’s 2025 election phase 1 begins successfully with high participation
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By Phyo Lin Aung (NP News) - Jan 7
The 2025 Multi-Party Democratic General Election (Pa rt 1) was successfully held on 28 December 2025, with polling stations opening at 6:00 a.m. across designated areas in Myanmar. Despite various challenges, the first phase of the election concluded smoothly, marked by strong voter turnout and orderly polling procedures.
Scope of the phase (1)
The 2025 Multi-Party Democracy General Election (Phase 1) was held in six townships in Kachin State, two townships in Kayah State, two townships in Kayin State, two townships in Chin State, 12 townships in Sagaing Region, four townships in Tanintharyi Region, eight townships in Bago Region, nine townships in Magway Region, eight townships in Mandalay Region, five townships in Mon State, three townships in Rakhine State, 12 townships in Yangon Region, 12 townships in Shan State, and eight townships in Ayeyarwady Region, totaling 102 townships.
To ensure a free, fair, and transparent election, the Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine (MEVM) was deployed during this phase. Polling station supervisors, election staff, Red Cross societies, and social organizations worked together to ensure that voters were able to cast their ballots comfortably, efficiently, and without disruption. The use of MEVM significantly improved the voting process by reducing waiting times and streamlining vote counting, contributing to a smooth election experience for voters.
Security challenges and sabotage attempts
However, while the government and the people are choosing the path of democracy, terrorist and insurgent groups continue to embrace terrorism and have used direct or indirect means to disrupt the elections in some parts of the country, prevent eligible voters from going to the polls, damage polling stations that have been opened, and intimidate voters who do come to vote, such as using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from a distance, detonating sound bombs, blocking vehicles from reaching the polling stations, sending threatening messages, and dropping bombs with drones, fixed-wing drones, and spreading false information.
In addition, in the run-up to the 2025 multi-party democratic general election, terrorist and insurgent groups also disrupted the electoral process. Across 41 townships, their activities included the widespread distribution of propaganda, posters, and letters urging a boycott of the vote and, the play of sound boxes or speakers to encourage people not to vote. They physically sabotaged preparatory election materials, destroying or burning posters and signs on 23 separate occasions. Polling station security personnel were harassed and shot at four times, while civil service personnel of the election-related departments and party members were threatened with weapons on three occasions. Their improper acts escalated to more direct attacks, including six bombings, two incidents involving improvised explosive devices, six detonations of grenades and improvised explosive devices, and three stun grenade attacks. It was found that there were six reported kidnappings and 54 total acts of harassment and sabotage. Despite these significant challenges, the authorities successfully ensured that the election proceeded as planned.
International observation and recognition
A total of 139 international observers and diplomatic envoys attended the election to observe. These international monitors widely recognized the election as free, fair, peaceful, and systematic, particularly praising the use of electronic voting technology.
Mr. Sholban Kara-Ool, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, stated that he saw “the efforts of the Myanmar Union Election Commission (UEC)” and noted that the electronic voting machines “worked well” and that “there was no external interference.”
Special Envoy for Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Mr.Deng Xijun also remarked that “From my observations, everything appeared to be well-organised and running smoothly. Specifically, the preparation and arrangement of the polling stations were systematic, and we saw voters participating actively. At the last polling station, even about an hour before closing, people were still lined up and waiting to cast their votes.”
Belarusian Central Election Commission Deputy Chairman, Mr. Alexei Bashan observed that “Many voters personally came to cast their votes to make their own choices and decide their future. This is very positive because young people and family members were actively participating, showing genuine interest and respect for the process. Today, we noticed that citizens are making every effort to elect representatives to the parliament. These elected representatives will later form a government and continue to build the nation. We observed that the people of Myanmar are actively participating because they want to personally determine their own destiny.”
Mr. Yerman Mukhtar, Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission of Kazakhstan, expressed that “We also observed that voting machines were used at polling stations in a thorough and highly effective manner. Voters participated actively and cast their ballots enthusiastically. Furthermore, we noted that journalists from both domestic and international media were gathering news on the election process, and that state-owned media were also reporting on and broadcasting the elections. One particularly important point is that a large number of young people were among those casting ballots. This demonstrates how strongly young people participate in the electoral process.”
Other international observers likewise noted that the election was conducted peacefully and effectively.
Preliminary outcomes and political implications
Although the Union Election Commission announced that official results would be released only after all three phases of the election are completed, preliminary indications from some townships suggest that the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is leading, having won around 90 percent of the constituencies in the first phase.
However, other political parties remain optimistic. In addition to the Pyithu Hluttaw, seats in the Amyotha Hluttaw and Region/State Hluttaws are allocated under the Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) system. The MMP system offers increased opportunities for ethnic and regional parties, enabling parties such as Kayin, Kayah, Chin, and Pa-O to gain parliamentary representation even if they do not win first place in individual constituencies. This marks a significant shift from the previous First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) system, which primarily favored major parties.
Upcoming election phases and coverage
The second phase of the election will be held on 11 January 2026 in 100 townships, while the third phase is scheduled for 25 January 2026 in 63 townships. On 27 December 2025, the Union Election Commission announced that elections could not be held in 65 townships, including 20 constituencies across nine townships and 1,064 wards and village tracts, due to conditions that did not allow for free and fair elections. As a result, elections are being held in 265 out of 330 townships, covering approximately 80 percent of the country.
It must be said that the 2025 election was held in 265 out of 330 townships, covering 80 percent. Some international election analysts have long estimated that the election will only cover 50 percent of the population. In fact, according to the 2024 census, the 65 townships where elections were canceled account for only 13 percent of the total population. These 65 townships account for 20 percent of the total 330 townships, but they are remote and sparsely populated areas. In addition, as many of these residents have fled to other regions or neighboring countries due to the conflict, the actual population in these areas may be much lower than the census estimates.
Outlook
The successful completion of the first phase, along with the anticipated second and third phases, is expected to help stabilize Myanmar’s political environment, reduce tensions, and advance national reconciliation. It is hoped that armed groups will refrain from further sabotage and support the democratic process.
Through these elections, ethnic and regional parties are expected to gain a stronger voice, bringing renewed hope for peace, reconciliation, and representative governance. Ultimately, the elections aim to establish three functioning parliaments that reflect the genuine will of the people. –