02/06/2026, 07:4602/06/2026, 07:46
In the crisis country of Myanmar, the military-backed and effectively unrivaled “Union Solidarity and Development Party” (USDP) was, as expected, declared the winner of the parliamentary election with a large majority. Human rights activists viewed the vote, which was accompanied by international criticism, as “ridiculous and foolish”: “The military simply swapped their uniforms for civilian clothing,” said Phil Robertson, director of the Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates organization, to the German Press Agency.
The electoral commission set up by the ruling military junta made the result public a few days ago – largely unnoticed by the public and almost exactly five years after the momentous coup on February 1, 2021. International observers and human rights organizations had already criticized the vote in advance as a “farce”. They emphasized that the election only served to seemingly legitimize the power of the generals under their boss Min Aung Hlaing.
Myanmar’s military leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.Image: AP
The army staged a coup five years ago and removed the democratically elected de facto head of government Aung San Suu Kyi from power – because of alleged fraud in a previous parliamentary election. The Nobel Peace Prize winner was later sentenced to a long prison term. Where she is being held and how she is doing is unclear. Since the forced transfer of power, the former Burma has descended into chaos and violence.
Parliamentary election despite civil war
According to the published results, the USDP won more than 72 percent of the parliamentary seats. However, most of the voting took place in constituencies where the junta supported by China and Russia has power. Several important opposition parties boycotted the vote and others were excluded.
Many retired generals and people with close ties to the military are expected to be sworn in as lawmakers. According to media reports, the parliament, which has been elected in three phases since December, will meet for the first time in March and elect a president.
Neighboring states do not recognize the election
“The Burmese people have already condemned this election, which was neither free nor fair, by their absence, and the international community should do the same and ignore the resulting USDP government,” Robertson said. Ultimately, General Min Aung Hlaing and the top military leadership would still be in power. “Their human rights-violating behavior has not changed one bit,” emphasized the expert.
Protesters gather in London to denounce the military junta’s continued control of Myanmar. (02/01/2026)Image: www.imago-images.de
The human rights organization Human Rights Watch had already spoken in advance of “sham elections” and of a “desperate attempt to gain international legitimacy after almost five years of brutal military repression.” The Southeast Asian confederation of states Asean – chaired by the Philippines this year – said it would not recognize the vote. (sda/dpa)