The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN-Burma) have released a new briefing paper that details the illegitimate process through which Myanmar’s military junta has sought to cement its grip on power following the February 2021 military coup d’etat.
6 February 2026. Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing led the implementation of repressive electoral amendments to ban parties that won over 90% of seats in 2020, jail critics, and ensure the victory of the military-controlled USDP.
Although the junta designed the polls to legitimize itself and appease China, the sham election deteriorated from a stage-managed process to overwhelming violence and fraud.
To ensure tight military control, voting was held in 3 phases - Phase 1 (28 Dec 2025), Phase 2 (11 Jan 2026), and Phase 3 (25 Jan 2026).
During 20 Dec 2025 - 30 Jan 2026, there were 1,288 armed clashes and attacks against civilians, which killed 281 civilians in 178 (out of 330) townships. The junta launched 308 airstrikes across 89 townships.
Meanwhile, 404 people were charged under the junta’s Election Protection Law, with 9 receiving lengthy jail sentences of up to 49 years.
The polls took place as the junta held nearly 23,000 political prisoners - the highest number in SE Asia. The number of political prisoners continued to rise during and after the polls.
67 townships and 4,000 wards and village tracts were excluded from the sham poll. An estimated 10.5 million voters were excluded, while another 11 million boycotted. In Chin State alone, less than 5% of voters participated.
Despite disinformation, intimidation, and threats, the junta’s USDP won on an abysmal voter turnout of 13.1 million votes, compared with 25.9 million votes cast in the 2020 general election.
The junta’s intention to resume forced conscription and its regressive economic approach make economic recovery and conflict reduction almost impossible.
Meanwhile, the junta continues to supply Russia with bombs to be used in Ukraine, and colludes with Iran on sanction-busting, making it a greater threat to regional and international stability.
Read the full briefing paper here.
