Naypyidaw: Myanmar voters went to the polls today for a general election, the first since the military seized power from the civilian government nearly five years ago. Voters in Naypyidaw, Yangon, and several other cities went to polling stations in schools, government offices, and religious sites. Myanmar's military junta, which ruled the country after a coup on February 1, 2021, insisted the election offered a fresh start economically and politically. However, the United Nations, some Western nations, and human rights groups criticized the election as neither free, fair, nor credible, citing the absence of opposition parties and its timing amidst ongoing fighting between the military and armed ethnic groups.

According to Thai News Agency, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD), which won a landslide victory in the last general election in 2020, is not contesting this election. The party was dissolved in 2023 for failing to register for the election. The NLD disagrees with the military government's election laws which favor the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). The USDP, led by retired generals and fielding a significant number of candidates (one-fifth of its total), is likely to return to power.

Today's election is the first of three phases, with the remaining two phases scheduled for January 11th and January 25th, 2026. These elections are for members of national and local councils in 265 out of 330 cities nationwide. Election results are expected to be announced by the end of January.