Myanmar Junta Cancels Elections in Conflict Zones Amid Civil War

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Photo:AP

Myanmar’s military rulers announced that elections will not take place in many regions of the country because of the ongoing civil war and widespread insecurity. This decision highlights how unstable the nation remains nearly four years after the military seized power in a coup.

The junta’s election commission confirmed that voting will not be held in 65 constituencies out of the 440 total seats in the national parliament. This means almost one in seven areas will not participate in the elections, which are set to begin on December 28, 2025. Officials did not give specific details, only stating that these constituencies were “not conducive to free and fair elections.” In reality, many of these places are now controlled by ethnic armies or pro-democracy fighters.

Background of the Conflict

Myanmar has faced unrest since February 2021, when the army ousted the elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi. The coup triggered widespread protests, which were brutally suppressed. As violence grew, many civilians took up arms, joining forces with long-established ethnic minority groups that had been fighting the central government for decades.

The conflict escalated further in late 2023, when opposition groups launched a coordinated offensive against the junta. These groups captured towns, military bases, and major trade routes. Although the army has managed to retake some areas with airstrikes and heavy attacks, it continues to lose ground in many regions.

Areas Excluded from Elections

Among the constituencies excluded are:

* Mogok, the ruby mining hub in Shan State, now under rebel control.

* Large parts of Rakhine State, where ethnic fighters have taken over territory.

* Several northern and western regions frequently hit by military airstrikes.

These areas are strategically and economically important, making their exclusion a sign of how much control the junta has lost.

A Controversial Election

The military has been promoting the planned election as a path toward reconciliation and stability. However, critics argue that it is only a strategy to legitimize military rule. Many of the lawmakers removed during the 2021 coup have already announced they will boycott the vote, calling it unfair. Rebel groups have also declared they will not allow polling stations to operate in territories they control.

Doubts About Fairness

Concerns about the election’s credibility had already surfaced after a national census in 2024 failed to cover nearly 19 million people out of Myanmar’s estimated 51 million population. Officials said that security problems prevented them from collecting information in many areas. As a result, millions of citizens may be excluded from the voter rolls.

What This Means for Myanmar

The decision to cancel elections in nearly 15 percent of constituencies underlines the continuing weakness of the military government. Instead of uniting the country, the planned polls risk deepening divisions. With large parts of the population unable to participate and rebel groups promising to disrupt voting, many citizens see the election as an exercise designed only to extend military power.

For people inside Myanmar, the announcement is another reminder that peace and stability remain distant goals. With fighting continuing in multiple regions and ethnic groups resisting the junta’s rule, the coming months may bring more conflict rather than reconciliation.