The military-backed USDP claims it won 88 of 102 lower-house seats in the first phase of Myanmar’s three-stage general election, though the national election commission has not released aggregated results. The vote is being held in three staggered phases because conflict excludes 65 townships; later rounds are scheduled for Jan. 11 and Jan. 25. Human rights groups and opposition figures say the election lacks credibility after the 2021 coup, and state media reported attacks in 11 townships that injured five people.
USDP Claims Dominant Lead After Myanmar’s First Election Phase Amid Ongoing Conflict
Official of the Union Election Commission prepare to close a polling station after the votes are counted, during the first phase of general election, in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo)
The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the political party backed by Myanmar’s ruling military, on Tuesday claimed a commanding lead in the first phase of the country’s general election — despite the national election commission not yet publishing official, aggregated results.
USDP Claim and Local Counts
An unnamed senior USDP official told The Associated Press that the party won 88 of the 102 lower-house seats contested in the first phase. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release results. Local polling stations publicly announced vote counts, but it remains unclear if the Union Election Commission will release a consolidated summary for the first round.
How the Vote Is Being Conducted
Voting is being held in three staggered phases because active armed conflict prevents a single nationwide poll. The first phase took place Sunday in 102 of Myanmar’s 330 townships. The remaining rounds are scheduled for Jan. 11 and Jan. 25; authorities say 65 townships will not participate in this election cycle because of security concerns and displacement.
Legislative Stakes
Myanmar’s bicameral legislature totals 664 seats. Under the constitution, the military is guaranteed 25% of seats in each chamber. A party or coalition with a combined parliamentary majority can select the next president, who then appoints a Cabinet and forms a new government.
Regional Results and Political Landscape
The USDP official also said the party captured roughly 85% of contested seats in regional legislatures during the first phase, and that it won every constituency across the eight townships that make up the capital, Naypyitaw, where many residents are military personnel or civil servants. More than 4,800 candidates from 57 parties are contesting national and regional seats, though only six parties are competing nationwide with realistic chances of parliamentary influence; the USDP is widely regarded as the strongest contender.
Turnout, Voter Rolls and Credibility Concerns
The military government reported more than 24 million eligible voters for this election — about 35% fewer than in 2020 — a drop officials attribute to conflict-driven displacement and voting restrictions in insecure areas. Authorities have not released an official turnout figure for the first phase. Opposition groups had urged a voter boycott.
Credibility Concerns: Human rights organizations and opposition figures say the vote is neither free nor fair and warn that real power may remain with military chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, who led the February 2021 coup that ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The National League for Democracy (NLD) was dissolved in 2023, along with 39 other parties, after refusing to re-register under new rules imposed by the military authorities. The 2021 takeover sparked widespread resistance that has since escalated into a broader civil conflict.
Security Incidents During Polling
State-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported that armed groups opposing the military attacked polling stations, government buildings and other sites in 11 of the 102 townships included in the first phase over Saturday and Sunday, injuring five people. The incidents underscore ongoing security challenges that have limited voting in many areas.
What’s Next: Final, nationwide results are expected by late January after the remaining two voting phases conclude and authorities collate results.
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