Political parties in military-ruled Myanmar began election campaigning Tuesday, two months ahead of a December vote widely viewed as an attempt to legitimize the military’s 2021 coup, despite ongoing civil conflict that will prevent voting in many regions.
The campaign launch came a day after U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres warned Southeast Asian leaders that the planned polls could worsen Myanmar’s turmoil. Critics have dismissed the December 28 election as neither free nor fair.
Fifty-seven parties have registered to run, but Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD), which won the last two elections, will not contest. The NLD was among dozens of parties disbanded by the army-appointed election commission after refusing to participate in what it called a “sham” process.
The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) launched its campaign under the slogan “Stronger Myanmar” with rallies in Naypyitaw and Yangon. The Naypyitaw event drew hundreds of supporters dressed in green and was attended by senior party figures, including former generals now serving in the junta’s Cabinet.
USDP chairman Khin Yi, a former general and police chief, pledged that his party would follow election laws, claiming the polls would provide legitimacy to the government.
Other parties have yet to hold public rallies, relying instead on social media outreach. State-run TV and radio will air campaign messages from registered parties until November 24.
Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said voting will take place in phases, with 102 of Myanmar’s 330 townships voting first, followed by 100 more later, citing ongoing fighting as the reason.
With major opposition forces sidelined, the USDP, which is fielding over 1,000 candidates, is expected to dominate.
Opposition and resistance groups have vowed to disrupt the polls. The General Strike Coordination Body, a leading anti-military network, has called for a nationwide election boycott through year’s end.
The military seized power in February 2021, overthrowing Suu Kyi’s elected government over unproven claims of voter fraud. The coup triggered widespread armed resistance and deadly crackdowns, with recent airstrikes killing scores of civilians as the junta seeks to regain control before the election.
