Myanmar’s upcoming election is a charade, and everyone knows it—except perhaps the military junta desperately clinging to power. But here’s where it gets controversial: while the regime claims the December 28 vote is a step toward democracy, critics argue it’s nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to legitimize their authoritarian rule. Let’s break it down.
For the first time since the 2021 coup that plunged the country into chaos, Myanmar is heading to the polls. Yet, with former leader Aung San Suu Kyi imprisoned, her National League for Democracy (NLD) party disbanded, and roughly a third of the country either contested or under rebel control, the election feels more like a farce than a fair democratic process. Pai, a 25-year-old who fled Myanmar after the coup, sums it up bluntly: ‘This is not for the people, this is for themselves. They’re trying to escape the mess they’ve created.’
And this is the part most people miss: the junta isn’t just fighting for political legitimacy—they’re also trying to salvage their international reputation as pariahs. But with Western governments and the UN dismissing the election as a sham, their efforts seem doomed from the start. China, however, stands firmly behind the junta, seeing the election as Myanmar’s best shot at stability. Beijing’s support has been a lifeline for the military, helping them regain ground on the battlefield and tighten their grip on power.
The conflict, meanwhile, has only escalated. According to Acled, military airstrikes and drone attacks surged by 30% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Schools, hospitals, and other civilian infrastructure have been repeatedly targeted, with a recent strike on a hospital in Rakhine state killing dozens. Conscription-related abductions have also spiked, with young men being forcibly taken from their homes and streets to bolster the military’s dwindling ranks. No wonder many have fled military-controlled areas like Yangon, fearing they’ll be forced into service.
Here’s where it gets even darker: the junta has passed a draconian election protection law, criminalizing any criticism of the vote. Offenders face a minimum of three years in prison—or even the death penalty. Since July, over 200 people have been arrested, some for simply liking critical social media posts. In cities like Yangon, authorities are going door-to-door, pressuring residents to vote. ‘The military is ruthless, and they’ll stop at nothing to silence dissent,’ warns Khin Ohmar, a pro-democracy activist in exile.
On the ballot are 57 parties, but most are either linked to or dependent on the military, offering voters the illusion of choice without any real opposition. Only six parties are running nationwide, including the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party, which is effectively running uncontested in dozens of constituencies. Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD, which won a landslide in 2020, was dissolved after refusing to register with the junta’s election commission. Similarly, 57% of parties that ran in 2020 no longer exist, despite winning over 70% of the vote.
Large swaths of territory will be excluded from the election, highlighting just how much ground the junta has lost since the coup. Voting has been canceled in 56 of 330 townships and over 3,000 wards and village tracts, leaving about a third of the country disenfranchised. Many of these areas are either battlegrounds or under opposition control, a stark reminder of the fierce resistance the junta faces.
But here’s the real question: Can the military sustain its grip on power, even with China’s backing? While Beijing’s support has allowed the junta to regain some territory and adapt its tactics—including mandatory conscription and increased drone usage—the conflict shows no signs of abating. Richard Horsey, a senior Myanmar adviser, predicts the military will seek tactical ceasefires post-election, not for peace, but to refocus their forces elsewhere. ‘They’re determined to reclaim as much lost territory as possible,’ he says. ‘This isn’t about a softer approach—it’s about survival.’
So, what do you think? Is this election a legitimate step toward stability, or a desperate ploy by a failing regime? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments—and don’t hold back!
