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Myanmar Holds Historic 2025 Election, First Since Civil War, with New Voting System

Myanmar has commenced its first general election since the onset of the civil war five years ago, marking a significant political milestone. The election will unfold in three phases through late 2025 and early 2026, featuring a new Mixed-Member Proportional voting system and electronic voting machines. A notable surge in female candidates, attributed to the new proportional representation rules, highlights a shift in political participation. International observers are monitoring the process, which will ultimately lead to the formation of a new Union Government.

Key Points: Myanmar 2025 Election: First Post-Civil War Vote Under New MMP System

  • First election in five years since civil war
  • New Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) system introduced
  • Record number of female candidates running
  • Election to be held in three phases across 2025-2026
2 min read

Myanmar kicks off 2025 general election five years after Civil War

Myanmar begins a historic three-phase general election in 2025, its first since the civil war, featuring a new MMP voting system and record female candidates.

"The increase in female participation is due to the adoption of the proportional representation system. - U Khin Maung Oo, Union Election Commission"

Yangon, Dec 28

Myanmar kicked off its 2025 multi-party democratic general election with the first phase held on Sunday. This comes after five years of the Civil War.

The general election is scheduled to be held in three phases, with the second phase set for January 11, 2026, followed by the third phase on January 25.

The election will cover a total of 692 constituencies across the country. About 5,000 candidates from 57 political parties are competing for seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House), and State and Region Hluttaws (State and Region Parliaments).

The election will produce the elected members of the Union Parliament (Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw) and State and Region Parliaments; the new Union Parliament will then elect a new president, who will form a new Union Government, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to the Union Election Commission, a total of 21,517 polling stations have been set up nationwide for the general election.

Unlike previous elections, Myanmar has introduced the Mixed-Member Proportional (MMP) system and the Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine. The MMP system combines First-Past-the-Post and Proportional Representation, the state-owned daily Global New Light of Myanmar reported.

According to the Ministry of Information, Myanmar citizens living abroad have already cast their advance votes at overseas embassies and consulates. Election observation teams from several countries have arrived in Myanmar to observe the polls.

Myanmar's last general election was held in November 2020.

Additionally, a total of 1,183 female parliamentary candidates are running in the general election, according to the country's Information Team of National Defence and Security Council.

The number of women candidates has increased compared to previous elections, with 908 in 2020 and 799 in 2015, the information team had said in November.

The increase in female participation is due to the adoption of the proportional representation system, which has encouraged more women to enter politics, according to U Khin Maung Oo, a member of the Union Election Commission.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see elections resuming. Stability in Myanmar is crucial for the entire region, including our Northeast states. The electronic voting machine is an interesting move—hope it's secure and transparent. The world will be watching closely.
A
Aman W
While I wish them well, we must be cautiously optimistic. An election is just one step. The real test is whether the new government can unite the country and deliver on people's aspirations after a devastating civil war. The phased approach seems practical.
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Sarah B
The proportional representation system encouraging more women into politics is the best news here. More countries should adopt such measures. Wishing all the female candidates the very best! Representation matters.
V
Vikram M
Hope this process is inclusive and fair for all ethnic groups in Myanmar. Lasting peace is only possible if everyone feels they have a stake in the system. India should support this democratic transition as a responsible neighbour.
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Karthik V
A respectful criticism: The article heavily cites state-owned media and official commissions. It would be good to also hear from independent civil society groups or opposition voices about their view of the election's fairness. The devil is in the details.
N
Nisha Z
Five years of war... can't imagine what the people have been through. Just

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