Mandalay

Mandalay is a city in Myanmar where voting took place in the first phase of a controversial general election held in January 2026. These elections are being conducted by the military government amidst a five-year-long civil war. The polls are widely viewed as a sham due to the banning of popular political parties, the imprisonment of leaders, and the inability of a significant portion of the country to participate due to the ongoing conflict. The military-backed party is expected to win in a landslide. The UN and ASEAN have criticized the elections, with ASEAN stating it will not certify the vote. The elections are newsworthy as they are seen as an attempt by the military to legitimize their rule despite widespread opposition and instability within the country.