The air in the country remains thick with political tension, even as an election looms later this year. The military government, which seized power, has promised a vote. However, recent actions suggest this promise comes with tight strings attached. Many observers are raising serious questions about how fair and open this election can truly be.
Just this week, on September 11, 2025, news from the Irrawaddy News Agency broke. The Election Commission, put in place by the military, announced it was dissolving four political parties. This move has drastically reshaped the field of players. The commission stated these parties failed to follow the rules for political party registration. Some did not even open enough offices across the country, as required.
One of the parties shut down was the National Democratic Force, or NDF. This party had often been seen as somewhat friendly to the military government. Yet, the commission said it failed to meet registration laws. Mr. Zanda Min, the NDF’s deputy chairman and a former member of the NLD party, voiced his surprise. He pointed out that his party had over 88,000 members, well above the necessary number. He is now waiting for the Election Commission to explain more.
Other parties facing the axe include the Democratic Party of National Politics, led by former General Saw Mong. The Women Party (Mon) and the Union Farmer-Labor Force Party were also dissolved. None of these groups won seats in the last election held in 2020. However, they all had plans to run in the upcoming vote. Now, those plans are gone.
With these dissolutions, only six major national parties are left to compete. These include the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which openly backs the military. The National Unity Party is also still in the race. Voters will also see the People’s Pioneer Party, led by Thet Thet Khine, and the People’s Party, led by Ko Ko Gyi. The Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party and the Myanmar Farmers Development Party complete the list.
An additional 52 smaller parties will only be allowed to compete at local state or regional levels. The election itself will be split into two parts, happening in December and then in January next year. Critics have loudly called this whole process a stage play. They believe it is simply designed to make the military government look legitimate. Major opposition parties have either been banned outright or have chosen not to participate, seeing no real chance for a fair contest. Political experts suggest the military is ready to crush any group that might pose a real challenge. They want to make sure the competition stays completely within the lines they have drawn.