Myanmar Elections: A Sham Conclusion Amidst Ongoing Civil War

Tue Feb 03 2026 19:05:37 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The third and final round of voting in Myanmar's controversial elections has closed, widely regarded as a sham by observers due to bans on popular parties and the backdrop of a civil war. International criticism of the elections has been dismissed by the military regime, which is expected to secure a significant victory.

Polling has concluded in Myanmar, with the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party anticipated to dominate the results despite widespread bans on opposition parties. The country remains mired in conflict, and the election is viewed as a facade amid ongoing civil strife. Recent reports describe an atmosphere of fear surrounding the electoral process, and the next steps will likely see the military leader installed in a new presidential role.

Polls in Myanmar have closed after a third and final stage of voting in what are widely viewed as sham elections. Many popular parties are banned from standing and voting has not been possible in large areas of the country because of a five-year-long civil war. The dominant party backed by the ruling military junta is expected to win a landslide victory.

The current regime has rejected international criticism of the election, maintaining that it is free and fair. Around one-fifth of the country's 330 townships, including the cities of Yangon and Mandalay, participated in the last stage of voting.

Six parties, including the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), fielded candidates nationwide. Two previous rounds were held on 28 December and 11 January, giving overwhelming victories to the USDP, a party that won only 6% of parliamentary seats in the last free election in 2020.

As in previous rounds of this strange, month-long election, voting was orderly and peaceful at the polling station in Nyaungshwe, Shan State, which a BBC team observed. However, the pre-election atmosphere was marked by fear, intimidation, and a pervasive sense that little will change after the inevitable victory by the USDP.

The next steps following the final results are laid down in the military-drafted constitution, which stipulates that Parliament will meet within two months to choose a new president, expected to be coup leader Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

The military junta took control in a coup in 2021, ousting an elected civilian government, and continues to face opposition from armed resistance groups and ethnic militias. The civil war has led to significant loss of life and widespread displacement, with a growing humanitarian crisis exacerbated by severe economic conditions.