Introduction 

Myanmar’s military junta, led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has recently announced the first phase of the nation’s elections for Dec. 28, 2025. Since the 2021 coup, the country has found itself in a state of emergency with armed conflict and political turmoil. The junta took power from former State Counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi, arresting her on Feb. 21, 2021 with unevidenced claims of electoral fraud, and has been facing nationwide resistance from activist groups advocating for democracy alongside ethnic rebel forces. The conflict is nearing five years, having displaced more than 3.5 million individuals and left millions facing food insecurity.

The national elections are set to take place over multiple phases planned across December and January. However, critics, as well as international observers have raised concerns about electoral integrity, describing the elections as a pretence designed to validate the military power. Experts, including lawmakers in Myanmar junta are actively boycotting the elections saying that “a military sham election will not bring peace or stability to Myanmar.”The vote will take place in an environment of ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis, casting heavy doubt on the elections’ legitimacy.

Military’s Grip on Electoral Process

The military’s detrimental influence over Myanmar’s political system is not new. Even prior to the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, the military has a long history of military aggression over governance, claiming it is for the protection of national interests and stability. Beyond the 2021 coup, the junta has continuously meddled in elections, manipulated party registration and used its power to maintain its dominance, ensuring opposition voices and anti-junta rebels are marginalised, if not eliminated.

The military junta has sustained a tight control over Myanmar’s electoral system, ensuring that the vote serves to its advantage. Under the junta’s oversight, The Union Election Commission (UEC) has only approved a select number of political parties, with dozens of others being banned or blocked from participating. Reports suggest that 55 parties registered, but only a handful are allowed to contest nationwide. Myanmar’s 2024 census, which was supposed to establish voter rolls, was conducted in less than 45% of townships, showing the junta’s limited administrative reach and selective control over who can vote. 

Widespread Boycotts & International Criticism

International pushback of Myanmar’s upcoming elections has been strong and consistent across the globe. The United States (U.S.), along with several other governments, have expressed grave concerns with the polls intending to cement military control through proxies, expressing that they will not be recognising any results that emerge as a result. The U.S. has also highlighted the junta’s human rights crises, the ongoing displacement of millions and the several ongoing human rights abuses in the country. 

Regional actors have voiced similar concerns. Malaysia, which currently holds the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has said that Myanmar’s elections should not be treated as a priority. Instead, they have urged the military to comply with the five-point consensus plan, requiring diplomacy and  dialogue efforts to support the end of hostilities. ASEAN has barred Myanmar’s generals from joining ASEAn for key meetings since 2022, as a result of repeated failures to abide by such commitments.

On the contrary, China has strongly backed Myanmar’s military junta and its upcoming elections, describing the vote as moving towards “reconciliation and cooperation” and “social harmony”, while focusing on stability along the China–Myanmar border. Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, encouraged the junta to maintain “openness and inclusiveness”, and to safeguard Chinese personnel and projects. Hlaing is to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping for a summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Aug. 31, and speak to other Chinese diplomats and ambassadors, signaling strong diplomatic support from Beijing.

Wider Implications & The Road Ahead

Looking ahead, as Myanmar approaches its 2025 elections, uncertainty and turbulence continue to affect the lives of millions of people around the nation. Furthermore, strains are to be exacerbated surrounding military governance as a result of the continued insurgency of long-standing ethnic rebel groups actively calling out the credibility of the military-led elections. The lack of necessary election infrastructure, social tensions and disputed administration makes the political landscape incredibly difficult to predict. With the displacement of millions of the population and many having no interest to engage in civic participation, the continuance of social instability seems to be the norm.