Not for the People’: Myanmar Junta Prepares for Elections Designed to Legitimize Grip on Power

Myanmar’s military rulers are moving forward with plans for national elections, but critics inside and outside the country argue the process is deeply flawed and designed to entrench military power rather than restore democracy. As preparations accelerate, opposition groups, civil society organizations, and international observers warn that the vote will neither be free nor fair — and may instead provide a veneer of legitimacy to an authoritarian regime.

Nearly four years after the military seized power in a coup, Myanmar remains locked in conflict, repression, and political paralysis. Against this backdrop, the junta’s election plans are widely viewed as a strategic maneuver rather than a genuine democratic exercise.


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Elections Under Military Control

Myanmar’s military, officially known as the State Administration Council, has outlined steps to hold elections under a revised political framework. New laws and regulations have been introduced that tightly control who can participate, which parties can register, and how campaigns may operate.

Several major opposition parties — including those linked to the ousted civilian leadership — have been banned or dissolved, while others have withdrawn in protest. Many prominent political figures remain imprisoned or in hiding, making meaningful participation impossible.

Critics argue that an election held under such conditions cannot reflect the will of the people. Instead, it risks institutionalizing military dominance through a carefully managed political process.




Why Critics Say the Vote Is “Not for the People”

Opposition voices describe the planned elections as “not for the people” because basic democratic freedoms are absent. Freedom of speech, assembly, and press remain heavily restricted. Journalists face arrest, activists are routinely detained, and entire communities live under martial law.

In large parts of the country, armed conflict continues between the military and resistance groups. Millions have been displaced, and many regions remain inaccessible or unsafe for voting. Under these circumstances, critics say, holding a nationwide election is not only unrealistic but deliberately misleading.

Rather than resolving Myanmar’s political crisis, opponents believe the elections are designed to normalize military rule while sidelining popular resistance.



A History of Military Influence in Politics

Myanmar’s military has long played a central role in governance, even during periods of civilian leadership. Past constitutions guaranteed the armed forces a fixed percentage of parliamentary seats and control over key ministries.

The current election plan appears to follow the same pattern — ensuring that even if civilians are elected, real power remains firmly in military hands. Analysts note that this approach allows the junta to claim political legitimacy while retaining ultimate authority.

For many citizens, this reinforces the belief that elections under military supervision cannot deliver genuine change.




International Response and Condemnation

The international community has responded to Myanmar’s election plans with skepticism and concern. Western governments and regional observers have repeatedly emphasized that any credible election must include all political actors and occur in an environment free from coercion.

Human rights organizations warn that recognizing the results of such elections could set a dangerous precedent, effectively endorsing a process built on repression. Calls have intensified for continued diplomatic pressure, targeted sanctions, and support for humanitarian relief rather than political recognition of the junta.

Some neighboring countries have taken a more cautious stance, prioritizing stability while avoiding full endorsement of the electoral process.




Impact on Ordinary Citizens

For Myanmar’s people, daily life remains shaped by insecurity, economic hardship, and fear. Inflation, unemployment, and shortages of basic goods have worsened since the coup, while public services have deteriorated.

Many citizens see the election plans as disconnected from their realities. With survival as a primary concern, political participation feels distant and inaccessible. In resistance-held areas, communities have openly rejected the idea of voting under military oversight.

The gap between the junta’s political narrative and lived experience continues to widen.




Resistance Groups Reject the Process

Pro-democracy resistance movements have made it clear they do not recognize the legitimacy of the planned elections. Many have called for boycotts, while others argue that participation would only validate military rule.

These groups insist that any political transition must involve dialogue with all stakeholders, the release of political prisoners, and the restoration of democratic freedoms. Without these conditions, they say, elections are meaningless.

The junta, however, has shown little willingness to compromise.




What Lies Ahead for Myanmar

As election preparations move forward, Myanmar stands at a crossroads. The junta hopes the vote will signal a return to political order, but critics fear it will deepen divisions and prolong conflict.

Without inclusive dialogue and international accountability, elections risk becoming another chapter in Myanmar’s cycle of authoritarian rule. For many citizens, real democracy remains a distant goal — one overshadowed by repression and uncertainty.

The world now faces a critical question: whether to accept a controlled political process or continue pressing for a solution that genuinely reflects the will of Myanmar’s people.




Final Thoughts

Elections are often seen as symbols of hope, but in Myanmar’s case, many view them as a tool of consolidation rather than liberation. As long as power remains concentrated in military hands, critics argue, ballots alone cannot deliver democracy.

For Myanmar’s future to change, elections must serve the people — not those who rule over them.