Overview
- Polling opened Sunday in 100 townships across multiple regions and states, with a final round set for January 25 and at least 65 townships excluded due to conflict.
- The military-aligned USDP dominated the first phase on December 28, winning about 90 of 102 lower-house seats, as authorities touted roughly 52% turnout that observers dispute.
- Aung San Suu Kyi remains imprisoned, the NLD has been dissolved, and only six parties are contesting nationwide as many opponents were barred or boycotted.
- UN expert Tom Andrews urged governments to reject the vote as a sham, while new election laws have led to more than 330 charges and over 22,000 political detentions reported by AAPP.
- Reports described mixed turnout and heavy security, and although resistance groups vowed to disrupt voting, officials reported no major interference early on Sunday.