Abandoned Myanmar town shows problem of election in wartime

Myanmar's military government plans to hold an election despite ongoing conflict with rebel forces throughout the country. An Al Jazeera report by Tony Cheng, published on January 10, 2026, highlights the challenges of holding an election in a war zone. The report focuses on the abandoned town of Hpapun, which has been deserted due to the conflict. The absence of residents in Hpapun demonstrates the practical difficulties of conducting a legitimate election in areas affected by war. The report suggests that widespread displacement could undermine the validity of the planned election.