Brief Report on First Phase of Sham Election by SET Working Group

Brief report

Sham Election Tracker

Note: This brief report only capture some key snapshots recorded on the sham election day and should not be considered as a comprehensive report.

Brief

On December 28, 2025, Myanmar's military junta organized first phase of its illegal sham election under tight security and stringent laws. The first phase of the election plan faced with seemingly low voter turnout, intimidation and coercion of voters, controversies around advance vote and vote counting and also technical failures of electronic voting machines.

Some Notable Events

Mawlamyine, Mon State:

The junta opened 117 polling stations for over 216,000 registered voters under heavy military presence, with polling sites surrounded by troops, police, militia members, and plainclothes intelligence officers. Early morning turnout was virtually nonexistent until USDP supporters arrived with organized groups of voters. Local observers described the atmosphere as one creating fear and surveillance, with one noting that "The whole process feels lifeless... It does not feel like a genuine election day at all."

Monywa Township, Sagaing:

Junta forces conducted door-to-door campaigns in Yadanabon Ward No. (1), threatening civilians with arrest and imprisonment if they did not vote.

Yangon:

Reports from local media indicated minimal voter turnout at ward-level polling stations in downtown Yangon, with minimal international observation presence noted at polling locations.

Broader Context

The election exercise represents military junta's attempt to legitimize its authoritarian rule following the 2021 attempted coup after the 2020 general elections widely regarded by local and international observers as free and fair. The election process has been marked by coercion, militarization of voting sites, lack of voluntary participation, and widespread rejection by the civilian population and civil society organizations.