CNI News
22 January 2026
The ongoing election in Myanmar has become one where the powerful are bullying the weak, Sai Htay Aung, Chairman of the Tai-Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), told CNI News.
Currently, the 2025 General Election in Myanmar is being held in three phases. Phase 1 was conducted on December 28, 2025, and Phase 2 was held on January 11, 2026.
Following the first two phases, political parties and observers have pointed out that authorities facilitated advance votes to ensure a victory for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). They also alleged that voter lists were intentionally complicated to prevent voters who do not support the USDP from casting their ballots.
The Union Election Commission (UEC) had previously announced that Phase 2 of the election, held on January 11, 2026, would take place in 100 townships. This list included several townships in the Sagaing Region, such as Kalewa, Mingin, Wuntho, Kyunhla, Myinmu, Chaung-U, Budalin, Ayadaw, Paungbyin, Mawlike, and Ye-U.
The list of townships in Sagaing Region where Phase 2 of the election was supposed to be held.
However, when the UEC released the list of winning candidates for Phase 2 on January 18, 2026, it appeared that elections were not actually held in those Sagaing townships. Conversely, the "winners list" included townships like Banmauk, Kawlin, Tigyaing, Kalay, Indaw, and Pinlebu—townships that were not on the original list of areas where elections were to be held. In these areas, the USDP and the National Unity Party (NUP/Ta Sa Nya) were declared winners.
Sai Htay Aung told CNI News that even though certain townships were excluded from the official election schedule, candidates are still being declared winners if they filed their nominations. He noted that when he questioned the UEC Chairman on how elections could be held in Bhamo, Momauk, and Mansi, the Chairman replied that it was not his personal arrangement but was based on the submissions made by the Chief Minister.
"From what we hear, elections didn't actually happen in those areas, yet it's said the USDP won. In Bhamo District of Kachin State, they reportedly didn't hold elections in Bhamo, Momauk, or Mansi (Shwegu), but they had filed nominations. Since they were the only ones who filed, they won uncontested seats, like the State Parliament (Hluttaw) seat in Shwegu and the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House) seat in Mansi. I can't say if they are 'holding' these elections just because they don't want to lose. The election situation seems to depend entirely on the management of the administrators. During a meeting on January 5, I asked how they would hold elections in Bhamo, Momauk, and Mansi. The UEC Chairman's response was, 'I am not the one arranging this. We have to act based on the Chief Minister's submission," said Sai Htay Aung.
The TNDP Chairman further noted that areas like Bhamo and Momauk are controlled by the KIA (Kachin Independence Army), and there is not a single location where an election could practically be held. He described the situation as the powerful bullying the weak.
The list of winning townships in Phase 2, in the areas where elections were not actually conducted.
"In reality, Momauk, Bhamo, and Mansi are controlled by the KIA. We see that there isn't a single place where they can actually conduct an election. However, candidates have already been filed, including our own. In Mansi, the USDP had no opponent for the Pyithu Hluttaw seat. I don't know if they are holding this election just to give those seats official recognition. When I questioned them deeply, they didn't give a clear answer and just shifted the responsibility to the Chief Minister. When they say it depends on the Chief Minister's report, it's hard to say what points the Chief Minister is actually reporting. Many elections in Myanmar feel like the strong are bullying the weak. We are only participating because we believe that solving things through a political path will be easier for the public," he added.
Phase 3 of the 2025 General Election is scheduled to continue on January 25, 2026, in 63 townships.
Following that, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has stated that Parliament (Hluttaw) will be convened in March, a new government will be formed in April, and state power will be transferred to the winning party.
Currently, the USDP has won the most seats nationwide, followed by the NUP in second place. The Pa-O National Organization (PNO), Naga National Party (NNP), Mon Unity Party (MUP), and Arakan Front Party (AFP) are among those with the third-highest number of wins.
