Myanmar’s military government has announced that general elections will begin on 28 December, the first since its 2021 coup that ousted and jailed Aung San Suu Kyi.
The polls, set to be conducted in phases, have already been condemned internationally as an attempt to cement military rule.
The junta has delayed previous election plans due to ongoing conflict with ethnic armed groups and resistance forces, many of whom control large parts of the country and have vowed not to allow voting in their areas.
Despite this, officials confirmed that 55 parties have registered, with nine aiming to compete nationwide.
The military-led election commission said voting will take place in stages, with later phases to be announced. But holding nationwide polls during an active civil war presents major logistical challenges.
Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has insisted the vote must proceed and warned of harsh punishment for anyone who obstructs or criticises it.
The once-dominant National League for Democracy, which won landslide victories before the coup, has been banned from participation.
China, Myanmar’s most powerful neighbour, has expressed support for the process, citing regional stability. But critics argue the election will merely install proxy parties loyal to the junta.
UN special rapporteur Tom Andrews described the plan as a “mirage of an election exercise,” urging the international community to reject it.
Human Rights Watch has also dismissed the vote as lacking any credibility, calling for an end to violence, the release of political prisoners, and the reinstatement of opposition parties before any ballot can be considered legitimate.
Since the coup, thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and Myanmar’s economy has collapsed.
A devastating earthquake in March and international funding cuts have deepened the crisis, leaving communities in extreme hardship.