CNI News

16 January 2026

In Myanmar, Part 1 of the election was held on December 28, 2025, and Part 2 was completed on January 11, 2026. The remaining Part 3 of the election is scheduled to proceed on January 25.

Daw Nan Khin Aye Oo, Chairperson of the Karen Peoples Party (KPP), told CNI News that while the KPP competed only in the Ayeyarwady Region during Parts 1 and 2—and cannot yet confirm their specific vote counts—the National Unity Party (NUP) has shown significant strength in Part 2 of the election.

She stated: "The areas where Part 2 was held—Pantanaw, Wakema, Kangyidaunt, and Kyaunggon—are regions with high Karen populations. The exact percentages haven't been finalized yet. In Kangyidaunt, the NUP ranked second. They also ranked second in Kyaunggon, and reportedly third in Wakema. In Einme, the NUP has won in many locations for the Ethnic Affairs Representative seats.

The Karen Peoples Party (KPP).

In Part 2, the NUP candidate for Ethnic Affairs won by a landslide. Yesterday, the NUP received an unexpectedly high number of votes. Pantannaw is traditionally NUP territory. We thought we would mainly be competing against the USDP (Union Solidarity and Development Party), but now we are competing against the NUP as well. The NUP is strong in urban areas. Both the USDP and our party lost in two polling stations, though we heard we won in two others."

U Sai Naing Naing Kyaw, Chairman of the Shanni Solidarity Party (SSP), told CNI News that the NUP is gaining strength because it is an established, long-standing party with a pre-existing base of hardcore members.

Candidates from the NUP.

He commented: "The National Unity Party is an old, established party. They already have their own loyal party members. Therefore, under the current changes to the electoral system, I believe the NUP is becoming even stronger."

According to available data, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has secured over 80% of the vote nationwide across Part 1 (held December 28, 2025) and Part 2 (held January 11, 2026).

Following the USDP, the National Unity Party (NUP) ranked second in Part 1. The Pa-O National Organization (PNO), Naga National Party, Mon Unity Party, Arakan Front Party, and the Shanni Solidarity Party ranked third in terms of victories.