Myanmar 2nd Phase Of Polling Sees Mixed Turnout, Junta-Backed Party Likely Winner

Last Updated:January 11, 2026, 17:49 IST

The election saw mixed turnout, with USDP dominating. Aung San Suu Kyi remains imprisoned, NLD dissolved, and critics say polls entrench military rule over divided regions.

Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing inspected voting at polling stations in Yangon’s Hlaing and Insein townships on Sunday. (The Irrawady/X)

The second round of voting in Myanmar’s general election witnessed a mixed turnout with 150 voters in some townships.

According to Associated Press, polling took place in 100 townships across the country, including parts of Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay, Bago and Tanintharyi regions, as well as Mon, Shan, Kachin, Kayah and Kayin states. Many of these areas have reported clashes in past months and remain under heightened security, underscoring the risks surrounding the vote.

The election is being held in three phases due to armed conflicts. The first round took place on December 28 in 102 of 330 townships. The last round will be taking place on January 25 though 65 townships will not take part because of fighting.

AP quoted the government saying that the turnout was a success, claiming ballots were cast by more than 6 million people, about 52% of the more than 11 million eligible voters in the election’s first phase.

Meanwhile, AP reported that at more than 10 polling stations in Yangon and Mandalay voter numbers ranged from about 150 at the busiest site to just a few at others, appearing lower than during the 2020 election when long lines were common.

Myo Aung, a chief minister of the Mandalay region, said: “The weaknesses from December 28 vote have been addressed, so I believe the January 11 election to be well organized and successful."

According to AP, the first phase left the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party, or USDP, in a dominant position, winning nearly 90% of those contested seats in that phase in Pyithu Hluttaw, the lower house of parliament. It also won a majority of seats in regional legislatures.

While over 4,800 candidates from 57 parties are competing for seats in national and regional legislatures, only six parties are competing nationwide.

Former civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains imprisoned, while her widely popular National League for Democracy (NLD) party has been dissolved and barred from participating.

Western governments, democracy activists and the United Nations have condemned the polls, arguing they are designed to entrench military rule rather than restore civilian governance. Critics say the process overwhelmingly favours military-aligned parties, particularly the pro-junta Union Solidarity and Development Party, which is expected to emerge as the largest force.

Myanmar, home to about 50 million people, remains deeply divided by conflict. Voting is not being held in large swathes of rebel-controlled territory, and the junta has admitted elections cannot take place in nearly one-fifth of lower house constituencies.

News world Myanmar 2nd Phase Of Polling Sees Mixed Turnout, Junta-Backed Party Likely Winner

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