Myanmar’s military junta is once again promising elections as a pathway out of national crisis. After more than three years of civil war, economic collapse and state fragmentation, the regime led by Min Aung Hlaing claims that a vote can restore order and legitimacy. In reality, the proposed election risks deepening the conflict, entrenching military rule under a civilian disguise and exposing the failure of regional diplomacy — particularly by ASEAN and Myanmar’s immediate neighbors. Since the February 2021 coup, Myanmar has ceased to function as a unified state.

The ruling junta says the heavily restricted polls are a return to democracy but critics are wary

Myanmar’s military junta is once again promising elections as a pathway out of national crisis. After more than three years of civil war, economic collapse and state…

Elections will be first since military seized power in 2021, but analysts say vote is far from a step toward democracy

This is the first election since the army's coup in early 2021 - and it is being widely condemned as a sham.

Myanmar's military seeks to entrench rule as it begins to claw back territory and China presses for stability.

Observers say the vote, accompanied by a renewed crackdown on dissent, is meant to entrench the junta's power.

Myanmar's junta holds controversial elections amid civil war, facing condemnation for repression and lack of genuine democratic participation.