CNI News

24 September 2025

Political analysts pointed out that, for the upcoming election in Myanmar, the government should practically demonstrate arrangements for voter security so that people can actually go out and vote.

The Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced that the first phase of the election will be held in 102 townships on December 28, 2025, and the remaining townships will hold elections in phases two and three in January 2026.

Even in areas said to be under the rule of law, authorities have not been able to effectively maintain order. Therefore, during the election period, the government needs to show the public tangible security arrangements for voters, said Dr. Nyo Nyo Thin, Chairperson of Yangon Watch Group, speaking to CNI News.

“Right now, in our country, the rule of law is in such a poor state that even in places claimed to be under the rule of law, the police cannot properly maintain order. In such times, the public is already worried about their safety even in normal circumstances. So when it comes time to vote, they’ll be even more concerned about security. The government says they’ve prepared many security measures, but they need to prove this in practice to the public. If they cannot guarantee the safety of the people who they want to come out and vote, then citizens cannot be blamed for not coming to vote. It’s simply because of their own security concerns. If they want people not to worry about security, they must strengthen the rule of law. Even under normal circumstances, law enforcement has been extremely weak. Misuse of the conscription law and other actions outside the rule of law have worsened things. If political parties stand firmly together with the people and work openly for them, then there’s no reason why people wouldn’t come out to vote.”, she said.

Revolutionary forces, however, have announced that they will strongly oppose the election to be held by the military, urging people not to vote or participate, and warning of effective action against those who cooperate.

While People were preparing to vote

As a result, the public faces difficulties in casting their ballots on December 28 due to security concerns. Similarly, some people are not willing to vote although they are included on the voter list, but they are worried because local administrators—who already have access to their household registration records—might cause problems for them if they don’t.

U Htet Aung Kyaw, former co-chairman of the National Democratic Force Party (NDF), told CNI News that authorities must prove there is peace and security so people can feel safe to vote.

“People should vote. In world history and Myanmar’s history, abstaining from voting never carried any real meaning. We’ve heard that police forces responsible for rule of law say they will enforce things strictly and firmly. However, since conflicts are ongoing and rule of law is weak in some areas, there are worries. The government needs to show that it is truly secure and peaceful. Only when people feel with certainty that they are safe and nothing will happen to them, can we say it is really secure.”, he said.

Revolutionary groups, however, have declared that they will sabotage the election to be held on December 28, 2025 at all costs and have warned that those participating in the election will not be guaranteed safety.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, meanwhile, enacted the “Law for Protection Against Obstruction, Disruption, and Destruction of Multiparty Democratic General Elections” on July 29, 2025.

According to this law, violators can be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison, up to life imprisonment, or even the death penalty.