CNI News
12 September 2025
Myanmar is planning to hold the first phase of the general election on December 28, 2025, in 102 townships.
Out of nine political parties registered to contest across the entire Union, the Union Election Commission (UEC) dissolved three parties on September 9, 2025, for failing to meet the specified requirements.
In addition, the UEC told the CNI news agency that any political party intending to compete Union-wide will be dissolved if it fails to contest in 417 constituencies.
Q: Since the election is being held in Phase 1, during the period of Phase 1, how many candidates must a Union-level party submit out of the 417 total candidates to be eligible to contest?
A: Political parties intending to contest across the entire Union in the upcoming election must submit a list of candidates not only for the 102 townships announced for Phase 1 but also for all 833 constituencies of the Pyithu Hluttaw, Amyotha Hluttaw, and Region/State Hluttaws, as announced by the commission on August 18, 2025.
According to Section 12(a)(1) of the Political Parties Registration Law, a party that aims to operate Union-wide must contest in at least half of all constituencies for all Hluttaws.
Q: When you say a Union-level party must submit candidates for half of all constituencies, does that mean half of the 330 townships or half of the constituencies in the 102 townships for Phase 1?
A: According to Section 12(a)(1) of the Political Parties Registration Law, a party that aims to operate Union-wide must contest in at least half of all constituencies of the Pyithu Hluttaw, Amyotha Hluttaw, and Region or State Hluttaw (including ethnic affairs constituencies). It does not mean half of the constituencies in the 102 townships for Phase 1.
Q: What will happen to a political party competing Union-wide if it fails to submit 417 candidates within the UEC’s deadline? For example, will the party be dissolved, or will it be banned from contesting the election?
A: According to Section 12(a)(1) of the Political Parties Registration Law, a party that aims to operate Union-wide must contest in 417 constituencies, which is half of all constituencies of the Pyithu Hluttaw, Amyotha Hluttaw, and Region or State Hluttaw (including ethnic affairs constituencies). If it fails to contest as required, it will not be allowed to continue as a political party and will be dissolved.
Q: There are criticisms that the candidate qualification requirements and restrictions are incompatible with a democratic system as they restrict the freedom to contest. What is your view on this?
A: The representatives elected to the Hluttaw are individuals who will be performing legislative duties for the state and the respective Regions/States within the Hluttaw. It is necessary for these individuals to be qualified. They must be capable of working for the benefit of the people and the public. The Union Election Commission will act in accordance with the law to ensure that qualified Hluttaw representatives can enter the Hluttaw.
Q: My final question is: The election being prepared in Myanmar is said to be a step towards a multiparty democratic system. However, there are also criticisms that the UEC’s requirements and restrictions are designed to prevent the emergence of many parties. Are there any plans for the UEC and political parties to discuss and resolve these issues?
A: To make it easier for political parties to establish and register, the Political Parties Registration Law and its bylaws were amended, and the requirements were relaxed.
There are currently 57 existing political parties, and all of them must comply with the provisions of the Political Parties Registration Law, its bylaws, and the relevant Hluttaw election laws and bylaws. The commission meets with political parties from time to time and resolves their submissions in accordance with the law.
