(C) The Federal
YANGON – The final phase of Myanmar’s controversial general election—the first since the 2021 military coup—concluded on Sunday, January 25, 2026. While the ruling junta framed the vote as a transition toward "disciplined democracy," international observers and domestic critics have widely denounced the process as a fraudulent exercise designed to solidify military rule.
The third and final round of voting commenced at 6:00 a.m. local time, covering 61 townships, including key industrial zones like Hlaing Tharyar in Yangon and parts of Mandalay. This followed previous rounds held on December 28 and January 11. However, voting was notably absent in 67 townships currently under the control of anti-junta resistance forces, effectively disenfranchising a significant portion of the population.
A Predicted Landslide for the USDP
With the exclusion of the National League for Democracy (NLD)—the party of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, which was dissolved by the military in 2023—the army-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) faced virtually no viable opposition.
According to data from the military-controlled Union Election Commission (UEC), the USDP had already secured 233 seats in the two chambers of parliament during the first two phases. When combined with the 166 seats constitutionally reserved for active-duty military personnel (25% of the total 664 seats), the pro-junta bloc has already amassed 399 seats. This comfortably exceeds the 294 seats now required for a majority, a threshold that was lowered after dozens of constituencies were excluded due to ongoing conflict.
International and Domestic Backlash
The international community has remained steadfast in its refusal to recognize the legitimacy of the polls.
ASEAN: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations previously announced it would not endorse the results.
Human Rights Groups: Organizations like Amnesty International highlighted that the election occurred against a backdrop of extreme violence, noting that since the coup, over 6,000 civilians have been killed and 20,000 arbitrarily detained.
On the ground, the atmosphere in Yangon remained somber. "I expect nothing from this election," a 30-year-old resident told reporters, echoing a widespread sentiment of apathy and fear. Another resident, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated they voted for any minor party other than the USDP simply to "shake things up," despite knowing the outcome was a foregone conclusion.
Path to the Presidency
The official final results are expected to be announced by the end of this week. Under the current framework, the parliament is scheduled to convene in March to elect a president.
Political analysts and foreign media outlets overwhelmingly expect Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the architect of the 2021 coup, to be appointed as the new president. The junta has indicated that the new government will officially take office in April 2026, marking the formalization of military-led governance under a civilian veneer.
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