Myanmar election enters final stage amid airstrikes and exclusions

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Guardian staffJanuary 25, 2026 at 02:07 AM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

Myanmar is holding the final phase of its three-stage election on Sunday, almost five years after the military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government. The election, taking place amidst ongoing conflict and airstrikes, has been widely criticized as a sham due to the jailing of politicians, the banning of the main opposition party, and the exclusion of anti-military voices. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing defends the vote as free and fair, aiming to restore democracy and stability. International bodies like the UN and some Western governments reject the election's legitimacy, while China, a key military ally, supports it. The USDP, a military proxy party, is running the most candidates, while many parties from the 2020 election no longer exist.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Malaysia 40% Yangon 40% Kachin State 50% Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 50% UN 60% China 60% Bhamo ×260% Tom Andrews 70% Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) ×280% Aung San Suu Kyi 80% Min Aung Hlaing 90% Myanmar ×3100%

Keywords

myanmar election 100% military junta 90% sham election 80% political conflict 70% airstrikes 60% political proxy 50% human rights 50% international community 40% democracy 40%