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Myanmar’s military junta has announced that the country’s long-delayed elections will kick off on December 28, 2025.
The Junta’s announcement came despite raging civil war and widespread criticism that the exercise is nothing more than a charade.
Naija News reports that Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army ousted democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021, citing unproven allegations of election fraud. Since then, the country has been consumed by armed conflict between junta forces, pro-democracy guerrillas, and ethnic armed groups.
Large swathes of Myanmar remain outside military control, with many rebel factions vowing to block voting in their territories.
However, the Union Election Commission, in a statement on Monday, said: “The first phase of the multi-party democratic general election for each parliament will begin on Sunday, 28 December 2025. Dates for the subsequent phases will be announced later.”
According to AFP, many ordinary citizens have expressed the belief that the planned election offers no real hope.
“I think this election is only being held to give power to military dictators until the world ends,” a 63-year-old resident of Rakhine state told reporters.
“I don’t think the election will hold any significance for the people.”
Still, others expressed cautious optimism, with a displaced woman in Mandalay saying: “If the country will be made more stable and peaceful because of the election, we want to participate.”
Opposition Dismisses Exercise As Fraud
According to reports, most opposition lawmakers have vowed to boycott the poll, while Suu Kyi remains in jail.
A UN expert has described the election as a “fraud” meant to repackage military dictatorship as civilian rule.
Analysts predict that junta chief Min Aung Hlaing will retain power regardless of the outcome, either as president, head of the military, or through a newly created office.
Conflict monitors have warned that the election may trigger an increase in violence.
Naija News understands that just last month, the junta introduced new draconian laws prescribing up to 10 years in jail for critics of the election and 20 years for damaging ballot papers, polling stations, or intimidating voters.
Meanwhile, a 2024 census revealed that data from 19 million out of 51 million people could not be collected due to “security constraints,” raising doubts about how inclusive the vote can be.
Although opposition forces scored territorial gains in late 2023, the junta has since launched heavy airstrikes and enforced conscription to rebuild its ranks. In recent weeks, the military claimed to have regained some settlements.
Analysts, according to AFP, however, say the December polls could deepen the divide among opposition factions as they debate whether or not to participate.
The post Myanmar Junta Fixes Date For Elections Amid Raging Civil War appeared first on Naija News.
