CNI News 

23 October 2025

U Myo Kyaw of the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) told CNI News Agency that political parties intending to contest the upcoming election are operating in a manner suggesting they will only gain power by aligning with the Tatmadaw.

Part (1) of the election in Myanmar is scheduled to be held on December 28, 2025, with approximately 5,000 candidates, comprising 57 political parties and 95 independent candidates, set to compete.

U Myo Kyaw of the UNA said, "We are seeing many high-ranking military officers—generals, major generals, colonels, brigadier generals—being included in the parties to contest the election. They are creating and orchestrating this election scenario. On the other side, it's just these soldiers, these dictators, dressed in traditional jackets, working to seize power again."

"The political groups that plan to contest the election are also acting on the idea that they will gain power only by aligning themselves with the military. Therefore, the people must completely reject this. Let them form a government with just one or two votes if they wish. We would say they are forming a government dishonorably," he added.

Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing seen.

Currently, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has been governing under a state of emergency since February 1, 2021, after overthrowing the NLD government. The military claimed the NLD attempted to form a government without resolving disputes over the 2020 General Election voter lists.

Following the coup, the "Political Parties Registration Law" was enacted on January 31, 2023, requiring political parties to re-register. Preparations are also underway to hold the election.

U Thein Tun Oo, a spokesperson for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), told CNI News Agency that political parties contest elections to win the votes of the people, questioning what party in human society does not seek power.

Chief Min Aung Hlaing, armed groups, and political parties seen.

He stated, "A political party is established because they want to benefit the state and the citizens. To do good and get the mandate to act, every political party strives to win the votes entrusted by the people. In this pursuit, what party in this world does not want power, does not want to win? Because if they want to work for the people and the country, they must have the mandate to act. Every party sets the goal of winning the election and works towards it. Therefore, those who are criticizing should consider how their own trusted party has stood. Aligning or not aligning with the military is not the main issue. Talking about aligning with this or that is merely the words of a meaningless group of people. People can analyze and criticize as they like based on this, but a party is based on its stance and policy."

Currently, Part (1) of the election in Myanmar is scheduled for December 28, 2025, in 102 townships, followed by elections in another 100 townships in January 2026. The parliament is expected to be convened in February 2026, and a new government formed in March.

Military and political observers point out that the government that emerges in 2026 will be one led by the Myanmar Tatmadaw, and the political parties will merely be in a position of waiting to be selected to join the government led by the Myanmar Tatmadaw.