Voters in Yangon and Ayeyarwady regions ‘coerced’ in final phase of Myanmar military 2025-26 elections

Myanmar’s military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing visited polling stations in Mandalay’s Chanmyathazi Township during the final round of the junta’s 2025–26 elections on January 25, amid reports of heavy security, roadblocks, and voter intimidation. Similar pressure was reported earlier in Yangon, where residents said they were urged—or forced—to vote during Min Aung Hlaing’s visits to polling stations. Election analysts and residents told DVB that the visits were intended to coerce voters into supporting the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). The military’s Union Election Commission (UEC) announced preliminary results showing the USDP winning large majorities in both houses of parliament in areas where voting was held. Voting took place unevenly across the country, with elections held in some townships in Mandalay, Yangon, and Ayeyarwady regions, while others were excluded due to insecurity. Despite the UEC’s claims of broad participation, residents in Yangon and Ayeyarwady reported threats, including warnings that non-voters could face travel bans or prosecution for allegedly supporting resistance groups. Regime media claimed that foreign “observers” from several countries monitored polling stations in Yangon. However, the elections have been widely criticized as neither free nor fair. Min Aung Hlaing announced that the new military-controlled parliament is expected to convene in March.