Intro:
Myanmar’s military-aligned party clinched a sweeping election victory, reinforcing political control amid civil war and widespread repression.
Naypyitaw
Myanmar’s military-backed political force has completed a decisive sweep of the country’s three-phase general election, according to state media, cementing an outcome widely anticipated after a tightly managed political process conducted amid ongoing civil war and severe restrictions on opposition activity.
The Union and Solidarity Party (USDP), which is aligned with the country’s powerful armed forces, dominated all phases of the vote, winning an overwhelming majority in both chambers of the national legislature. Official results released on Thursday and Friday showed the party securing 232 of the 263 contested seats in the lower house, the Pyithu Hluttaw, and 109 of the 157 seats announced so far in the upper chamber, the Amyotha Hluttaw.
The scale of the victory effectively guarantees the USDP firm control over the legislative agenda, reinforcing the military’s grip on political power. Analysts say the result reflects not only the party’s institutional backing but also the absence of meaningful competition, as many opposition groups were barred from participating or chose to boycott the election altogether.
The election was held against the backdrop of prolonged conflict across large parts of the country, where clashes between the military and various resistance groups have continued since the army seized power in a 2021 coup. Large swathes of Myanmar remain under martial law or emergency rule, with political gatherings heavily restricted and independent media operating under constant pressure.
Critics, including pro-democracy activists and international observers, have questioned the credibility of the electoral process, arguing that it lacked fundamental conditions for a free and fair vote. They point to the detention of opposition figures, the dissolution of rival parties, and tight controls on campaigning and voter outreach as factors that all but guaranteed a predetermined outcome.
The military authorities, however, have portrayed the election as a step toward restoring constitutional order and stability. State media hailed the USDP’s victory as a mandate for governance, emphasizing voter turnout figures and framing the process as inclusive despite the ongoing unrest.
