Myanmar election plan faces global scrutiny

The UN reports systemic torture as the junta plans a staged vote to cement power while it controls only parts of the country.

Myanmar junta rebrands regime ahead of elections amid UN torture findings

The military government says it has lifted the four-year state of emergency and formed a caretaker administration to steer the country toward a parliamentary vote. The election, scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026 in stages, is viewed by observers as a cosmetic move to bolster legitimacy while the military keeps final say over politics and security. Most pro-democracy lawmakers remain in exile or jailed, and the regime’s grip extends only across portions of Myanmar.

UN investigators warn of intensified abuses, including systemic torture in detention facilities and the abuse of children. The junta denies wrongdoing, saying its actions target terrorists. New laws criminalize criticism of the election and expand online surveillance, while armed groups refuse to allow voting in areas they control. The country remains riven by conflict, with millions displaced and basic services severely strained.

This is a familiar tactic from the junta: call a vote and present it as change while keeping the real levers of power. By renaming bodies and keeping the military at the center, the regime aims for legitimacy without reforms. That makes international recognition unlikely to come quickly.

For the people of Myanmar, the plan means more disruption and risk. The displacement crisis remains, the economy stays crushed, and violence could rise as the ballot takes place in a country at war with itself. The challenge for the outside world is to push for real protections rather than a photo opportunity.

Highlights

The path to genuine reform remains blocked as the clock ticks toward a staged poll.