Myanmar election enters final phase amid airstrikes and widespread exclusions

Myanmar’s long-running election process moved into its third and final phase on Sunday, January 25, 2026, in a vote that has been widely criticized by international observers and democracy advocates. The balloting took place in limited locations and under heavy security, with the country still gripped by conflict between the military government and resistance forces across multiple regions.

The final stage came only days after reports of a military airstrike in a village area that killed civilians, underscoring the ongoing violence surrounding the political process. Human rights groups and critics say the election does not reflect a normal democratic contest because broad segments of the opposition have been barred from participating, and many communities are unable to vote due to insecurity or displacement.

In practice, the poll has unfolded as a multi-stage event rather than a single nationwide election day. That structure, combined with fighting that makes large areas inaccessible, has contributed to uneven participation and confusion about where and when voting is taking place. Residents in contested regions have described daily life defined less by campaigning and more by checkpoints, curfews and the threat of attacks.

Myanmar’s military seized power in 2021 and has since faced armed resistance and mass public opposition. In the years that followed, the junta promised elections as part of a roadmap back to civilian government, but critics argue the system has been designed to ensure a loyalist outcome. Election rules, party registration requirements and security restrictions have all been cited as mechanisms that narrow the field to groups seen as acceptable to the military leadership.

Analysts say the final phase is unlikely to change the overall direction of the country’s governance. Even if a civilian legislature is convened, the military retains extensive constitutional and coercive power, including control of key ministries and the ability to override political outcomes through emergency decrees. For opponents, the vote risks becoming a symbolic veneer that legitimizes continued military rule.

International responses have remained sharply divided. Some neighboring governments prioritize stability and engagement, while Western governments and global rights organizations have repeatedly questioned the credibility of the process. Many observers argue that any durable political settlement will require an end to armed operations against civilians, expanded political participation and negotiations that include groups currently excluded from formal politics.

For ordinary Myanmar citizens, the election has arrived amid economic hardship, disrupted education and a persistent humanitarian crisis. Aid agencies warn that insecurity and bureaucratic constraints limit access to vulnerable communities, while families continue to weigh whether to stay, flee internally or attempt to leave the country. The final voting stage, critics say, is occurring not in a climate of civic debate but in the shadow of war.