Myanmar’s military government has initiated campaigning for an election scheduled for December 28, 2025, a vote widely dismissed by critics as a bid to legitimize the junta’s 2021 coup while excluding the nation’s main democratic opposition.
The National League for Democracy (NLD) of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, which swept 82% of the vote in the 2020 elections, is explicitly barred from participating. The military council dissolved the NLD and arrested its leaders following allegations of election fraud.
This election unfolds amidst a climate of severe repression and ongoing internal conflict, with both domestic and international observers voicing concerns. Critics argue the process is merely a ploy to establish legitimacy for the military regime.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will not send observers to monitor the vote, diplomatic sources confirmed. This decision aligns with calls from various human rights organizations, which urged the regional bloc to refrain from actions that could lend credibility to the military government.
Fifty-seven political parties are contesting the election, including the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). The USDP began its campaign on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, by unveiling billboards in Naypyidaw and running advertisements on state media.
Despite the official start, the overall campaign atmosphere is described as subdued and heavily controlled by strict security measures.
The junta has enacted new laws imposing penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment for individuals opposing the election. Additionally, new cyber laws have been introduced to control online communication deemed to undermine national security.
The military government has acknowledged that elections will not proceed in one of the country’s seven regions due to active conflict. Furthermore, one in five urban areas across the nation remains under martial law.