CNI News
7 January 2026
Sai Aik Pao, Chairman of the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP)—also known as the White Tiger Party—told CNI News that the party is considering filing an official objection regarding the election results in Muse, Northern Shan State, after losing to the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) due to advance votes.
During Part (1) of the general election held on December 28, 2025, there were 18 polling stations in Muse. Sai Aik Pao stated that while the White Tiger Party led in 17 of those stations, they ultimately lost the seat after advance votes were counted at the final polling station. He argued that this outcome does not reflect the truth.
"We have 18 polling stations in Muse. The White Tiger Party won in 17 of them. But at the last station, advance votes were brought in, and we lost. This is not the truth. We are considering whether to object. We should have won. Out of 18 stations, we already won 17. Then, at the 18th station, advance votes arrived. This is not right. We don’t know who cast those votes. We competed with effort because the Commander-in-Chief said the election must be free and fair; we entered the race believing that," said Sai Aik Pao.
People casting votes in Muse.
Following the conclusion of Part (1) of the multi-party democratic general election on December 28, many political parties found themselves losing to the USDP due to advance votes. Citing a lack of transparency regarding these advance votes, the White Tiger Party (SNDP), the People’s Party (PP), and the Myanmar Farmers' Development Party have reportedly sent a formal letter to Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
According to current results from Part (1) of the election, the distribution of wins is as follows: Party Approximate Success Rate/Rank Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP)~80% Nationwide (Winner), National Unity Party (NUP) Second highest number of seats and Ethnic Political Parties Third highest number of seats.
Political parties analyze that based on these results, the USDP is likely to maintain its dominance in Parts (2) and (3), potentially securing a vast majority of seats in Parliament(Hluttaw).Sai Aik Pao noted that while the Parliament might appear diverse in terms of party representation, the actual number of non-USDP members will be small.
Leaders of various political parties.
"There will be a variety of parties, but the numbers won't be significant. Currently, our party has won two seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives). We aimed for much more than that. If there were true transparency and fairness, we would have won more. We should have won in Kengtung, Tachileik, Muse, and Lashio. Since things are happening like this, I don't even want to talk much more about it," he added.
Upcoming Election Schedule Part (2): To be held on January 11, 2026, in 100 townships.Part (3): To be held on January 25, 2026, in 63 townships.
In a message sent for the 78th Independence Day on January 4, 2026, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing stated that the government would be formed based on justice, high distribution of votes, and integrated stability.
