Myanmar’s Upcoming Election Marred by Systematic Violence and Repression

In addition to military repression, people are facing significant threats from armed groups opposing the military. 

RMN News Human Rights Desk
New Delhi | December 23, 2025

United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has issued a stark warning regarding the intensified violence, repression, and intimidation surrounding Myanmar’s military-controlled elections scheduled for December 28. According to the UN Human Rights Office, civilians are currently being threatened by both the ruling military authorities and armed opposition groups regarding their participation in the upcoming polls.

Crackdown on Dissent and Expression

The military authorities have reportedly utilized an “election protection law” to detain individuals for exercising their freedom of expression. The judicial responses have been described as extremely harsh; for example, three youths in the Yangon Region were sentenced to between 42 and 49 years in prison simply for hanging anti-election posters.

The crackdown extends to prominent cultural figures as well. Film director Mike Tee, actor Kyaw Win Htut, and comedian Ohn Daing were each sentenced to seven years in jail after they criticized a pro-election propaganda film. Türk has called for an immediate end to the use of brutal violence to compel voting and the cessation of arrests for dissenting views.

Coercion of Displaced Populations

The UN has also received disturbing reports of internally displaced persons (IDPs) being coerced into voting. In regions such as Mandalay, displaced individuals have been warned that their homes will be seized or they will face continued bombings if they do not return to their towns to cast ballots. The High Commissioner stated that forcing these individuals into unsafe and involuntary returns is a direct violation of human rights.

Threats from Opposition Groups

In addition to military repression, people are facing significant threats from armed groups opposing the military. Recent incidents include:

• The abduction of nine women teachers in Kyaikto who were traveling to attend ballot training.
• Bombings of administration offices in Hlegu and North Okkalapa by the “Yangon Army,” which resulted in injuries to election staff.
• Explicit vows from opposition groups to continue attacking those involved in organizing the election.

Conclusion on Electoral Integrity

Ultimately, Türk asserts that the current environment lacks the fundamental conditions required for the free and meaningful participation of the people. Without the basic rights of freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, the upcoming vote is taking place under a cloud of systemic fear.

Attempting to hold a free and fair election in this environment is like trying to conduct a symphony in the middle of a battlefield; when the musicians are being threatened from all sides and the audience is being forced to attend at gunpoint, the result is not music, but a hollow and coerced performance.