Overview
- Balloting begins December 28 and proceeds in two further phases on January 11 and January 25, according to the schedule announced by the junta.
- Voting will cover about 202 of 330 townships in three stages, with the military acknowledging nationwide polls are impossible because of ongoing conflict and resistance control.
- Dozens of opposition parties including the NLD have been barred and key leaders remain jailed, while six parties will contest with analysts expecting the military‑backed USDP to prevail.
- Opposition forces and the National Unity Government reject the process, describing it as a choreographed effort to entrench military dominance rather than enable real competition.
- The United Nations, human rights groups, and several Western governments criticize the exercise, while China maintains diplomatic backing for Min Aung Hlaing and diplomats doubt the vote will deliver peace or legitimacy.