Myanmar Holds Final Round of Elections Amid Boycotts and Civil Conflict

Yangon. Myanmar is holding the third and final round of general elections on Sunday. Voting began at 6 a.m. in 60 townships, including the capital Yangon and Mandalay. 

Critics are calling these elections, held amidst the ongoing civil war, political repression, and boycotts by opposition parties, illegitimate and an attempt to legitimize the military regime, claiming they are neither free nor fair. Myanmar's military leaders, who ousted the elected government and seized power in 2021, have controlled the country since then.

Thousands have died in the civil war that followed the 'coup.' More than 3.5 million citizens have been displaced. Former leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains in detention. With her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), and several other opposition parties dissolved, the political field is heavily tilted in favor of the military-backed parties. According to the election commission, the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has already secured 193 out of 209 seats in the lower house and 52 out of 78 seats in the upper house.

Including the 166 seats constitutionally reserved for the military, they have secured more than the 294 seats required to form a government. The remaining 17 parties have won between one and ten seats each. Current military ruler and acting President, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, is expected to assume the role of President after the formation of the new parliament. The military administration announced that Myanmar's parliament will convene in March, and the new government will assume office starting in April.