Myanmar polls | DD News

January 13, 2026 3:01 PM

Why is Myanmar’s junta holding an election during a civil war?

Myanmar's military-led government is holding a phased general election amid a civil war convulsing large areas of the Southeast Asian nation. WHY IS MYANMAR HOLDING AN ELECTION? The military ousted the elected government of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in a February 2021 coup, just as it was preparing for a second term in office following a landslide election win months before. The generals promised to restore the democratic system and accused Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy ...

January 4, 2026 11:17 AM

Myanmar to free 6,186 prisoners in Independence Day amnesty during election

Myanmar's military government will release 6,186 prisoners under an amnesty marking Independence Day, state media said on Saturday, a week after a multi-stage general election began in the impoverished Southeast Asian nation. The amnesty, which includes 52 foreigners, is a humanitarian gesture that takes into consideration the public's peace of mind, state-run MRTV said. The junta also reduced sentences by one-sixth nationwide, excluding for those convicted of serious crimes such as murder, ra...

October 16, 2025 5:36 PM

Myanmar elections unlikely to see credible outcome, EU human rights rep says

The European Union's Special Representative for Human Rights Kajsa Ollongren said on Thursday that the grouping had no plans to send observers to an election in military-ruled Myanmar, as it was unlikely to result in a credible outcome. Critics - including many Western nations - have described the election due to start in late December as a sham exercise aimed at legitimising the Myanmar junta's rule after it overthrew a civilian democratic government in 2021. Ollongren said the necessary cond...

October 15, 2025 3:42 PM

Myanmar junta chief admits election won’t be nationwide, as war continues

Myanmar's junta chief acknowledged on Wednesday that the military-backed administration will be unable to conduct an upcoming general election across the entire country, as a civil war triggered by a 2021 coup rages on. Critics and many Western nations view the election - due to start in late December and the first since the coup - as a sham exercise to legitimise the military's rule via proxy political parties. Dozens of anti-junta parties are either banned or refusing to take part. The South...

October 10, 2025 2:39 PM

Myanmar’s junta says Malaysia to send observers for contentious polls

Malaysia will send observer teams for Myanmar's contentious general election, set to be held in phases from December 28, state media said on Friday, a day after talks between the leader of the ruling junta and Kuala Lumpur's top diplomat. Myanmar has been in turmoil since a 2021 military coup that overthrew the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and triggered an armed rebellion that has led to large parts of the country slipping out of the junta's control. "He advised that the election sho...