CNI News
30 December 2025
In Mon, Rakhine, and Karen States, ethnic political parties appear to have shown strength in the Phase (1) election results, while there are also areas where the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) performed strongly, party officials told CNI News.
In Rakhine State, where elections were held in three townships, the USDP is leading in Sittwe Township, while the Arakan Front Party (AFP) is leading in Mrauk-U Township, AFP Chairman Dr. Aye Maung told CNI News.
He said, "Generally, in Sittwe, the USDP is leading. In Manaung, our AFP is leading. In Kyaukphyu, AFP is leading in both the Amyotha luttaw and the Pyithu Hluttaw. However, the USDP has received a lot of advance votes there. That could allow them to change the election result like in Sittwe."
In Karen State, where elections were held in three townships, although the USDP, Karen National Democratic Party (KNDP), and Phalon-Sawaw Democratic Party all have significant support, the USDP currently leads with the most votes, while the KNDP is in second place, KNDP Chairman Mann Aung Pyi Sone told CNI News.
Voters casting ballots
He added that this outcome was expected in advance.
Mann Aung Pyi Sone said, "We had already expected the results to be like this. Because our parties are small. Also, due to the limited campaigning time, our outreach wasn’t as strong. So when competing with the major parties, expectations were naturally low. In our state, we also have the PPP and the Kyarr Phyu Party competing. They are nationwide parties, but they didn’t get many votes — only about two digits. In Karen State, our Karen ethnic parties — KNDP, Phalon-Sawaw, and USDP — are the three main competitors. But overall, the USDP won by a small margin."
In Mon State, where five townships took part in Phase (1), the Mon Unity Party (MUP) is currently leading in both Amyotha and Pyithu Hluttaw seats in Chaungzon Township. The results for other townships are not yet known, party spokesperson Naing Than Shwe told CNI News.
He said that since polling stations could not open in some villages in these five townships, the MUP could not compete effectively in areas where it is usually strong.
Voters casting ballots
Naing Than Shwe said, "In Phase (1), all constituencies in Chaungzon Township were included, and polling stations in Chaungzon and Mawlamyine were fully open. However, polling stations could not open in some villages in Kyaikmaraw Township. Without those polling stations, we couldn’t compete in our strong areas."
The Phase (1) multi-party democratic general election, held on December 28, 2025, took place in a total of 102 townships. Party officials from Mon, Rakhine, and Karen States said voter turnout in these states was satisfactory.
Current nationwide election results show that the USDP is leading with the highest number of votes nationwide.
