Military-Backed Party Takes Early Lead in Myanmar’s First Election Since 2021 Coup

Myanmar’s military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has taken a decisive early lead in the first phase of the country’s general elections, according to results released by the Union Election Commission (UEC) and reported by state media. The vote marks Myanmar’s first election since the military seized power in February 2021, an event that plunged the country into prolonged unrest and armed resistance.

The junta has positioned the multi-phase election as a path toward political stability. Critics, however, argue it is designed to legitimise continued military control under a civilian façade.

Early Results Favour Military-Linked Party

Partial results declared so far cover 56 constituencies. According to the UEC, the USDP has won 38 of the 40 seats announced in the Pyithu Hluttaw (lower house).

Other outcomes include:

• One seat each for the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (White Tiger Party) and the Mon Unity Party (MUP).

• In State and Regional Hluttaw races, the USDP secured 14 of 15 seats declared, with the Akha National Development Party winning one.

• For the Amyotha Hluttaw (upper house), only one seat has been declared, won by the Wa National Party.

The USDP is led largely by retired military generals and is widely viewed as aligned with the ruling junta.

Low Turnout Raises Questions of Legitimacy

The military administration said 52 percent of eligible voters participated in the first phase of polling. This marks a sharp decline from turnout levels of around 70 percent in the 2015 and 2020 elections, according to data from the International Foundation for Electoral Systems.

Election authorities have not disclosed how many constituencies voted in this phase, releasing results seat by seat instead of publishing consolidated data.

Opposition Excluded, Criticism Silenced

The election has drawn criticism from the United Nations, Western governments, and international human rights organisations. Major pro-democracy parties were excluded, and it remains illegal to criticise the election process inside Myanmar.

Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former leader ousted in the 2021 coup, remains in detention. Her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the 2020 election by a landslide, has been formally dissolved.

Analysts say the absence of credible opposition undermines the democratic credibility of the process.

More Voting Ahead Amid Ongoing Conflict

Two additional rounds of voting are scheduled for January 11 and January 25, covering 265 of Myanmar’s 330 townships. However, several of these areas remain outside full military control, raising uncertainty about voting conditions and security.

Political experts warn that forming a stable government amid active armed conflict and economic distress will be difficult. International recognition of any future administration formed under military oversight is also expected to be limited.