CNI News
22 August 2025

With the upcoming election, the decision has been made to hold the Pyithu Hluttaw election using the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system across all 330 constituencies.

This has prompted discussions among political parties about what the voting process should be in areas controlled and not controlled by the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

On August 20, the Union Election Commission (UEC) announced that the first phase of the election would be held in 102 townships.

This raises the question of whether the 63 townships under martial law will be included in the remaining areas where elections are to be held, said Dr. Aye Maung, Chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), to CNI News.

He stated, "In a state, there will be some townships controlled by the government and some that are not yet controlled. If elections are to be held in all 330 townships, it means that they will be held simultaneously in both controlled and uncontrolled townships, or they will be held in multiple phases. So, how will ballot boxes be set up? Ballot boxes can be set up in controlled areas, but how will they be set up in towns that are not yet controlled? Or, if the voters from those uncontrolled towns are residing in controlled areas, is the decision to hold the election in all 330 townships based on considering their votes? If so, will those people from uncontrolled areas who are now residing in controlled areas be allowed to vote there, or will they be allowed to cast an advance vote, or an absentee ballot? We don't know yet. The Pyithu Hluttaw, the Amyotha Hluttaw, and the Region/State Hluttaws are all using the FPTP system. What kind of voting method will be used in the controlled and uncontrolled towns? The Election Commission says that people have to go and vote at the polling station using an electronic voting machine. It seems we need to ask the Election Commission this question again."

Voting is in progress

The UEC had announced on August 18 that the first phase of the multi-party democratic general election for various Hluttaws would take place on December 28, 2025, and that the dates for subsequent phases would be announced later.

Furthermore, the election will use electronic voting machines and a two-system approach, where voters can choose a candidate and cast their ballot, and also select and vote for a party.

It is also heard that voters must go to the location where the ballot box is set up to cast their vote. Dr. Aye Maung, Chairman of the AFP, told CNI News that the voting process in government-controlled and uncontrolled areas raises questions.

He said, "For example, if voters from uncontrolled townships want to cast an advance vote or an absentee ballot for the candidates running in their respective townships, it would take some time. It can't be done in a single day. The nature of the Pyithu Hluttaw election under the FPTP system is that in a state, about half of the townships are controlled and elections will be held there. But what about the other half that are not yet controlled? Will polling stations be set up in controlled areas to ensure that voters from uncontrolled townships do not lose their right to vote? Will the votes of those voters from uncontrolled townships who are now in other regions or states be collected via absentee or advance voting? How will the representatives for the 330 Pyithu Hluttaw constituencies be elected? I think it would be better if the Election Commission provided a clarification after a separate discussion. It would also be better for the voters."

 

KIA troops are seen

Currently, with the election date confirmed, political parties say that the campaign period could be 60 days, based on previous election experiences.

As the election approaches, there are concerns about the security of the parties and the candidates who will be competing.

However, at an election-related meeting on August 12, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing stated that the State Security and Peace Commission must provide protection for the political parties and candidates from the campaign period until the voting day.