• Early voter turnout for Myanmar's election is reported to be significantly lower than in previous polls.
• The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party claims a dominant lead as international observers criticize the process.
• Major opposition parties remain banned, leading to accusations that the elections lack credibility.

In Myanmar, the initial phase of the first general election since the military coup in 2021 has begun, although it has been met with tepid voter turnout, according to reports from residents across major cities. Observers indicate that initial turnout is markedly lower than the approximately 70% participation seen in the 2020 elections, with some citing coercion by local authorities to push voters to participate, raising doubts about the election's legitimacy. The situation is compounded by ongoing civil unrest and military operations, with voting taking place in only 102 of Myanmar's 330 townships, according to Channel News Asia, Los Angeles Times, and South China Morning Post.

The military-aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has claimed victory in approximately 82 of the 102 seats contested, which analysts describe as expected due to the lack of competition and the absence of major political parties such as Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), which has been dissolved. The USDP is seen as a proxy for the military and is likely to dominate the legislative assembly, raising questions about the credibility of this electoral exercise, as noted by multiple observers, including the UN rights chief and international analysts according to Al Jazeera and Los Angeles Times.

Critics assert that this election serves only as a facade to lend legitimacy to the military’s authority while continue stifling dissent. The opposition and various observers have reported that throughout the voting process, there were numerous instances where voters faced pressure to take part, with military personnel monitoring polling stations. A local voter from Yangon shared her apprehensions, stating, “I have to go and vote even though I don’t want to,” illustrating the tense atmosphere under which these elections are held, according to South China Morning Post and Al Jazeera.

As voter turnout in places like Yangon reached barely 37%, the disillusionment among citizens is palpable. The lack of public enthusiasm for the electoral process is evident, with local analysts remarking on the stark contrast to previous elections, which were characterized by lively campaigns and widespread participation. “This election is designed to add a facade of legitimacy to the status quo,” observed Tom Andrews, the UN human rights expert for Myanmar, highlighting the dire civil unrest in the country since the coup, as cited in Channel News Asia and Los Angeles Times.