Myanmar's military-backed party claims landslide victory; UN slams ‘sham' elections

According to reported figures, Myanmar's military-backed party won over 80 per cent of the lower house seats where voting was held in Sunday.

Updated on: Dec 29, 2025, 21:34:07 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The pro-military party in Myanmar, Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), has claimed a landslide victory in the first phase of elections in the country, reported news agency AFP citing a senior party official.

Myanmar is conducting month-long phased elections for the first time since the military took over power in the country in a coup in 2021. (AFP)

"We won 82 lower house seats in townships which have finished counting, out of the total of 102," the news agency cited a senior member of the Union Solidarity and Development Party as saying.

Myanmar is conducting month-long phased elections, one phase of voting for which was conducted on Sunday, after the armed forces in the country vowed to hand over the power back to the people after taking over the country in a coup in 2021.

Also read: Russia claims Ukraine attacked Putin's residence, Zelensky slams 'lies'

According to the figures, the party won over 80 per cent of the lower house seats where voting was held in Sunday. A party official told AFP on condition of anonymity that it won all eight townships in the capital Naypyidaw.

USDP is described as the civilian proxy of the country's military by many analysts, the report said. The party was brutally defeated by Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) in the polls held in 2020. However, the government and the party dissolved after the 2021 military coup, after which, Aung San Suu Kyi's party did not participate in the ongoing polls. The Nobel Peace Prize winner remains in detention.

Concerns over election's fairness

The elections in Myanmar, first since 2021, have come under heavy criticism from the United Nations, some western countries and human rights groups for allegedly not being “free” and “fair”, reported news agency Reuters.

United Nations' special envoy for human rights in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, said on Sunday that the election in the country must be rejected as it is not a pathway out of Myanmar's crisis, the Reuters report said. He had previously called the the election a "sham".

Acknowledging the criticism, junta spokesperson said that there would be political stability in the country following the current polls.

“We believe there will be a better future,” he said.

(With inputs from AFP, Reuters)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.