### Myanmar's First Election Since 2021 Coup: A Controversial Vote Amid Civil Unrest - Myanmar's military junta reported a voter turnout of **52.13%** in the first phase of a three-stage national election held on December 28, 2025. This turnout is significantly lower than the **70%** seen in the previous elections of 2015 and 2020, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral process during ongoing civil conflict and military rule [https://www.nation.com.pk/01-jan-2026/myanmar-junta-says-voter-turnout-52pc-first-phase-election]. - The election is the first since the military coup in February 2021, which ousted the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The junta's legal framework for the election does not require a minimum voter turnout, further questioning the credibility of the reported figures [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3745799-myanmars-controversial-election-amid-civil-unrest]. - Analysts predict that the military-aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) will likely regain power, as anti-junta political parties have been excluded from the electoral process [https://www.scmp.com/yp/news/asia/article/3338134/myanmar-votes-election-amid-military-rule-and-civil-war]. ### Structure of the Election and Its Implications 1. **Election Context**: - The election is being conducted in three phases due to ongoing armed conflicts, with the first phase covering **102 townships**. The next phases are scheduled for **January 11** and **January 25**, 2026, but many areas remain inaccessible due to violence [https://www.apnews.com/article/myanmar-election-military-party-results-ce5526b01f5dfef692bd52e391856b75]. 2. **Voter Turnout Analysis**: - The reported turnout of **52.13%** is a stark contrast to previous elections, indicating a potential decline in public support for the junta. The military spokesperson claimed that even developed democracies sometimes see lower turnout, framing the turnout as a "source of pride" [https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2025/12/31/myanmar-junta-says-voter-turnout-at-52-in-first-phase-of-election]. 3. **Political Landscape**: - The USDP, backed by the military, has claimed a strong lead in the initial results, winning **88 of 102 contested lower house seats**. However, the official results have yet to be released by the state election body [https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/myanmars-military-backed-party-claims-strong-lead-in-elections-first-phase]. 4. **International Response**: - The election has been widely criticized by international observers, including the United Nations and various human rights organizations, which have labeled the vote as neither free nor fair. The absence of opposition parties and the crackdown on dissent have further fueled skepticism regarding the election's legitimacy [https://www.independent.ie/world-news/asia-pacific/low-voter-turnout-in-myanmar-for-first-election-since-2021-coup/a527642414.html]. ### Key Data Points and Observations - **Voter Turnout**: - **52.13%** in the first phase of the election. - Previous elections had a turnout of approximately **70%** in 2015 and 2020 [https://www.millenniumpost.in/world/myanmars-military-backed-party-claims-strong-lead-642001]. - **Election Phases**: - **Phase 1**: December 28, 2025 - **Phase 2**: January 11, 2026 - **Phase 3**: January 25, 2026 - **Total Townships**: 330, with **65** townships not participating due to conflict [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/listen/cna938-rewind/myanmar-votes-military-holds-first-election-coup-5726296]. ### Conclusion: A Troubling Outlook for Myanmar's Democracy - The first phase of Myanmar's election has highlighted significant challenges to the country's democratic processes, with **low voter turnout** and **exclusion of opposition parties** raising alarms about the future of governance in Myanmar. - **Key Findings**: 1. The reported **52.13%** turnout is a significant drop from previous elections, indicating potential disenchantment among voters. 2. The USDP's claimed dominance suggests a continuation of military-aligned governance, undermining hopes for a return to democracy. 3. International condemnation of the electoral process underscores the lack of legitimacy and fairness in the current political landscape. The situation in Myanmar remains precarious, with ongoing civil unrest and a military regime that appears poised to entrench its power further through these elections [https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/amp/myanmar-pro-military-party-winning-junta-run-poll-first-phase-source-217271].