Beyond the ‘Sham’ tag: Myanmar’s first phase polls offer first signs of stability

Amid the loud refrain dismissing the polls as a sham, December 28, 2025, was a landmark day for Myanmar, because it efficiently performed phase-1 of its nationwide elections. It was incident-free, aside from some situations of EVM breakdowns. The typical voting participation was over 60% and held within the presence of worldwide observers and the overseas diplomatic group. These elections, even earlier than their conduct, had been spurned by the West and its media reportage denouncing these as rigged and undemocratic. Opposite to unfavourable media experiences, the elections, as witnessed by the writer, got here throughout as well-planned, aimed as step one in direction of restoring stability in a rustic dealing with civil conflict for the previous three years. It may very well be pathbreaking, if the final section can also be profitable. The elections had been designed to be inclusive with most illustration throughout the ethnic spectrum.

Myanmar elections are encouraging, in distinction to the present regional and international safety surroundings, that has exacerbated geo-political realignments. In South Asia, regional insecurity is at an all-time low, with Bangladesh engulfed in violence as a consequence of elevated radicalisation and regressive insurance policies — an unlucky turnaround after an externally initiated regime change. Its deliberate elections in February 2026 might herald some pragmatism. Nepal is experiencing political uncertainty that would finish with its elections scheduled for March 2026. India-Pakistan relations are at its nadir after Operation Sindoor.

On this tumultuous churn, phase-1 of Myanmar elections, look like a breath of contemporary air. The chairman of the Election Fee, throughout his briefing on the modifications within the present elections, emphasised that the purpose is to conduct a reputable multi-party democratic election. The present elections proceed to be beneath the mandate of the 2008 Structure, just like the nationwide elections of 2010, 2015 and 2020 and their by-elections. Nevertheless, there’s a change in election of representatives for the three ranges of Parliament. Earlier, the elected consultant was based mostly on ‘First Previous the Publish (FPTP)’, however on this election, the FPTP system continues for use for the Pyithu Hluttaw (Home of Representatives).

A ‘Blended Member Proportional (MMP)’ system was launched for the higher home/ Amyotha Hluttaw (Home of Nationalities) and the State & Regional Hluttaws. The MMP system combines two totally different electoral strategies — FPTP and proportional illustration (PR). Beneath the FPTP system, nearly all of seats are likely to go to the celebration with essentially the most votes. By integrating PR, smaller events will even obtain seats proportional to their vote share permitting them to be represented in Parliament. On this approach the strengths of FPTP’s decisiveness and PR’s inclusiveness are balanced.

For the Amyotha Hluttaw, the FPTP system will nonetheless be utilized in designated constituencies of the six ‘self-administered areas’ and ethnic minority constituencies. Ethnic minority constituencies are these representing ethnic teams who reside within the state or area, however are usually not native to that space and represent at the very least 0.1% of the nationwide inhabitants. Every such group is allotted a seat in Amyotha Hluttaw.

One other change was the voting methodology — from paper-based voting slips to standardised Myanmar digital voting machines (MEVMs). The EVMs are just like these in India and designed to forestall tampering.

Lastly, elections are being performed in three phases — phase-1 (already held) coated 102 townships, phase-2 held on January 11, 2026, coated 100 townships, and phase-3 scheduled for Jan 25, 2026, for 56-63 townships. Of the entire 833 constituencies, elections are deliberate for 692.Within the present elections, there have been 24.26 million eligible voters, 57 political events with 4,863 candidates.

Myanmar Election Fee had ready a digital ‘central voter record administration system (CVLMS)’ and the administration cum DEO software program, for township degree voter record administration. Vast publicity of the voter record and its show at every polling station was seen in phase-1.

The Fee had accredited 24 home and 162 worldwide observers with representatives from Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Vietnam, Cambodia and particular invitees from India and Japan. The hyper delegation from Russia, included members of the Russian Duma.

The writer, as an invited unbiased particular person by Union Election Fee (UEC) Myanmar, witnessed phase-1 in six of the eight constituencies of Nay Pyi Taw capital area — proper from the opening of polling stations, casting of votes to interplay with election observers, celebration representatives at totally different polling stations. On the final polling station, voting machines and voting slips had been digitally counted in entrance of the observers. It was quick, safe and tamper-proof.

Whereas interacting with totally different strata of Myanmar society, it was evident that there was real reduction among the many public that peace might return to Myanmar. Voters had been noticed ready patiently in lengthy queues on voting day.

A lot deliberation has been there on the Nationwide Defence and Safety Council (NDSC) of Myanmar, beneath Senior Normal Min Aung Hlaing and the Election Fee, in planning these elections. There’s a realisation among the many eminent residents and political bigwigs that elections are step one within the lengthy journey in direction of stability. There’s a want for sharing of energy with states. Some backdoor engagement with outstanding ethnic teams appears to have been carried out. For India, a secure Myanmar augurs nicely for its safety.

Since then Section 2 of the Elections had been efficiently held on 11 January 2026, in 100 further constituencies.Compared to Section 1 , the voter proportion was reportedly larger, however with a rise in incidents of violence. I conclude, by stating that India ought to wait and watch, converse to all events and keep relations with the federal government in energy, in Myanmar.