Myanmar holds first election in 5 years
(VOVWORLD) -Myanmar on Sunday began its first general election since the military government came to power five years ago and the Southeast Asian nation is facing prolonged divisions and conflict.
 Myanmar's election commission officials at a polling station inside a school in Yangon on December 27, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Stringer |
The first of three rounds of voting began at 6 AM local time in areas controlled by the military government, including constituencies in Yangon, Mandalay, and the capital Nay Pyi Taw.
The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is predicted to win most votes. Voting was not held in areas controlled by opposition armed forces.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk voiced concern that the election is taking place in a challenging environment.
A second round of voting is scheduled for the next two weeks, before the final round on January 25th. However, authorities acknowledge that voting could not proceed in nearly 20% of the constituencies for the Lower House due to the unstable security situation.