In Focus: Lack of election day enthusiasm in Yangon
Myanmar voters apathetic about military-led process after dozens of parties banned
December 29, 2025
YANGON -- Voting in Myanmar's first general election in fiveyyears began on Sunday -- the first such poll since Myanmar's military seized power from the country's civilian government in February 2021.
By calling and implementing the vote, analysts say the generals are trying to add legitimacy to their rule.
Overall, voting will take place in 265 of the 330 townships in Myanmar, excluding 65 where elections have been canceled due to ongoing conflicts with anti-regime forces. The two-month election campaign, in which 57 political parties participated, began in late October.
In the first phase, voters cast ballots in 102 townships, including parts of Yangon. The second and third phases are scheduled for Jan. 11 and Jan. 25, respectively. Results are expected to be announced by the end of January.
Unlike the November 2020 election, where Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy won a landslide victory, there was little sign of enthusiasm this time when polling stations opened at 6 a.m. on Sunday, with the NLD disbanded and unable to put forward candidates. Nevertheless, some citizens still cast ballots as they hoped for change in the Southeast Asian country.
Here is a look back at the election campaign and Sunday's voting in photos.
December 25
A signboard in Yangon showing the image of an ink-stained finger, indicating that a voter has cast a ballot, to encourage participation in the election organized by the governing military regime. (Photos by Ken Kobayashi)
A signboard in Yangon showing the image of an ink-stained finger, indicating that a voter has cast a ballot, to encourage participation in the election organized by the governing military regime. (Photos by Ken Kobayashi)
A woman poses for photos nearby Sule Pagoda in Yangon.
A woman poses for photos nearby Sule Pagoda in Yangon.
Shwedagon Pagoda illuminated behind a construction site where work has been suspended.
Shwedagon Pagoda illuminated behind a construction site where work has been suspended.
December 26
Dawn in Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial capital (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Dawn in Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial capital (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Campaign posters in Yangon (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Campaign posters in Yangon (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
A People's Pioneer Party campaign rally in North Okkalapa township, just outside Yangon. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)
A People's Pioneer Party campaign rally in North Okkalapa township, just outside Yangon. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)
Khin Maung Soe, right, the Yangon regional chair of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, leaves a USDP office in Twantay township after attending a party meeting. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Khin Maung Soe, right, the Yangon regional chair of the Union Solidarity and Development Party, leaves a USDP office in Twantay township after attending a party meeting. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
People's Party supporters listen to their leader's speech during an election rally in a Yangon suburb. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
People's Party supporters listen to their leader's speech during an election rally in a Yangon suburb. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
A People's Party supporter listens to a speech during an election rally. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
A People's Party supporter listens to a speech during an election rally. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
December 27
Cooling-off day
An electronic voting machine at a polling station in Yangon. The devices are being used in Myanmar for the first time in a general election. (Photos by Ken Kobayashi)
An electronic voting machine at a polling station in Yangon. The devices are being used in Myanmar for the first time in a general election. (Photos by Ken Kobayashi)
Polling staff take a rest after setting up an electronic voting machine.
Polling staff take a rest after setting up an electronic voting machine.
Police patrol the streets in Yangon. Myanmar is still mired in a civil war that has been raging since the military seized power in February 2021.
Police patrol the streets in Yangon. Myanmar is still mired in a civil war that has been raging since the military seized power in February 2021.
December 28
Polling station in Yangon (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Polling station in Yangon (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Election staff prepare voting machines at a poling station in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Election staff prepare voting machines at a poling station in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Voters stand in line at a polling station in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Voters stand in line at a polling station in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
A police officer stands guard near a polling station in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
A police officer stands guard near a polling station in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
A voter displays ink on his finger after casting his ballot. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
A voter displays ink on his finger after casting his ballot. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Views of the same polling station in Yangon during Myanmar's previous general election on Nov. 8, 2020 (upper) and in the current one on Dec. 28. Both photos were taken at 6:02 a.m., just after polling began. (Source photos by Yuichi Nitta)
Views of the same polling station in Yangon during Myanmar's previous general election on Nov. 8, 2020 (upper) and in the current one on Dec. 28. Both photos were taken at 6:02 a.m., just after polling began. (Source photos by Yuichi Nitta)
People check a voter roll at a polling station in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
People check a voter roll at a polling station in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
The logo of Myanmar’s election commission on a box at a polling station in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
The logo of Myanmar’s election commission on a box at a polling station in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
People queue to vote at a polling station in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
People queue to vote at a polling station in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
A woman shows her finger after voting. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
A woman shows her finger after voting. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
People queue at a polling station in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
People queue at a polling station in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Voters leave a polling station near Sule Pagoda in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Voters leave a polling station near Sule Pagoda in Yangon. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
The Thai embassy sent observers to polling stations in Yangon on Dec. 28. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)
The Thai embassy sent observers to polling stations in Yangon on Dec. 28. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)
Election staff check an electronic voting machine in Yangon after polls closed. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Election staff members check an electronic voting machine at a polling sElection staff check an electronic voting machine in Yangon after polls closed. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)tation in Yangon after polls closed. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
People walk in the Hledan shopping district in Yangon.
People walk in the Hledan shopping district in Yangon.
People at Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon (Video by Ken Kobayashi)
People at Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon (Video by Ken Kobayashi)
Buddhists walk past lighted joss sticks at Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.
Buddhists walk past lighted joss sticks at Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.