August 19, 2025 | 03:28 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Myanmar Junta has announced that it will hold the long-promised elections beginning on December 28, 2025. According to Al Jazeera report, the Union Election Commission declared on Monday, August 18, that the elections will be held in phases.
“The first phase of the multi-party democratic general election for each parliament will begin on Sunday 28 December 2025," the commission said, adding that subsequent phases will be announced later.
State-run media reported that a total of 55 parties have registered to participate in the elections, including nine parties that will compete for seats nationwide.
Coup and Conflict in Myanmar
This announcement comes a month after the junta lifted the state of emergency in several regions in preparation for the elections. The state of emergency was imposed after the military ousted the legitimate government of Aung San Suu Kyi in the February 2021 coup.
Myanmar last held elections in November 2020, where Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won by a landslide. The military alleged widespread fraud, but independent observers such as the Asian Network for Free Elections and the Carter Center rejected these claims, stating that the 2020 election results reflected the will of the people.
As reported by CNA, Myanmar has been embroiled in conflict ever since the military overthrew the Suu Kyi government in 2021 over allegations of election fraud.
Various Myanmar rebel groups, such as the People's Defence Force, Arakan Army, and Ta'ang National Liberation Army, now control a significant portion of the territory. Moreover, most of these areas are controlled by pro-democracy guerrillas and armed ethnic groups who have pledged to block the elections in their regions.
Rejection of the Elections
The opposition, including the NLD, has declared a boycott of the elections, which they believe will only strengthen the power of Min Aung Hlaing.
According to an Al Jazeera report, many citizen"I think this election is only being held to give power to military dictators until the world ends," said a resident in Rakhine State.
However, other displaced residents in Mandalay hold onto hope. "We want stability back in the country. If the country will be made more stable and peaceful because of the election, we want to participate," they stated.
The civil war has claimed thousands of lives, plunged over half of the population into poverty, and forced 3.5 million people to flee their homes.
Last month, the junta enacted new laws with penalties of up to 10 years in prison for critics of the elections. The rules also impose a maximum penalty of 20 years for anyone who damages ballot papers, intimidates voters, candidates, or election officials.
Editor’s Choice: Myanmar Junta Ends 4.5-Year State of Emergency, Plans Elections in December
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