CNI News
11 August 2025
If the people vote in the election that is being planned to be held, it will be a form of democracy and if the people don't vote, they will lose their opportunities, Chairman of the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), Sai Ai Pao told CNI News.
The Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced that elections will be held in 267 townships in Myanmar between December 2025 and January 2026.
After the election, a civilian government will emerge and the form of a democratic federal system will be established, and if people do not vote, they will lose their rights, said Sai Ai Pao.
“Once the election is over, a civilian government will emerge. It will no longer be a military government. At that time, the Amyotha Hluttawt, the Pyithu Hluttaw, the Regional Hluttaw, and the State Hluttaw will emerge. Then, the Union Government, the Regional Government, and the State Government will emerge. At that time, it will no longer be a military government. The military will hold the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Border Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs. All other ministries will be held by civilians. I would like to appeal to the public: Vote for the party of your choice so that the country will become a federal democratic form. A civilian government will emerge. If you don't vote, you will lose your right. I want urge the people to vote. A company in Yangon Region conducted a poll among 1,000 people. Out of them, 700 people said that they would vote because they want a change." he said.
While the UEC was explaining the voting machine to political parties
Political parties have pointed out that an election is needed to separate the three pillars in Myanmar - the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, from being controlled by a single person. Political parties are worried that the people won't vote.
When assessing the public regarding the election, if you divide it into three categories based on the age at which they can vote, there may be elements that want to change something, Dr. Aye Maung, chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), told CNI News.
“When assessing the public, the young people will have one kind of will. The middle-aged people will have another. The elderly will be different. This is different everywhere. If you divide the population into three groups based on the age group that can vote, young people may have big goals for the future. Middle-aged people may want to overcome difficulties. Many older people may already be thinking about how to solve these difficulties. About 70 percent of voters are neutral. They may be white or black and yellow or green or red. About 30 percent might not be neutral. Moreover, businessmen may want an economical change." he said.
Elections mean that you must own the government that you elected and you must vote carefully to ensure that the government that you elected will work for the benefit of the people and the country and that is free from corruption, pointed out military and political analysts.
