Myanmar’s 2025 Election: Rhetoric and Realities
Myanmar Studies Programme
The Myanmar junta is casting the upcoming elections as a “reset” and transition towards normalcy. Such rhetoric should be taken with a dollop of salt.

Myanmar Studies Programme
The Myanmar junta is casting the upcoming elections as a “reset” and transition towards normalcy. Such rhetoric should be taken with a dollop of salt.
Joanne Lin|Moe Thuzar
ASEAN needs to march to the tune of its own drummer and insist that Myanmar’s ruling regime toes the line, sham elections or not.
Surachanee Sriyai|Su Myat Thwe
The junta in Myanmar has announced elections starting in December 2025. The reality is that it has gamed the system in its favour.
Kai Ostwald
It is likely that Myanmar will hold its national elections soon. It is also likely that the polls will lack the basic requirements for parliamentary legitimacy or a national mandate.
Kyaw Yin Hlaing
A small window into how the Myanmar people regard the viability of elections reveals plenty of mixed feelings about the country’s political future.
Gwen Robinson
Gwen Robinson looks at the evolving crisis in Myanmar and highlights the diminishing role of ASEAN as the international community runs out of patience.
Kyaw Hsan Hlaing
The most critical player in Rakhine for the security situation and upcoming elections is the Arakan Army, not the local politicians.
Joanne Lin|Moe Thuzar
The military coup in Myanmar on 1 February 2021 created huge diplomatic repercussions, throwing into uncertainty the country’s international position and representation. Although the National Unity Government (NUG) appears to be the more popular choice for the international community, the prospects for its formal recognition remain uncertain.
Su-Ann Oh
The ongoing anti-coup protests are qualitatively different and pose a bigger challenge to Myanmar’s military rulers than earlier protest movements.
Sharon Seah
If ASEAN is serious about upholding the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, there are ways to help guide Myanmar back toward the path of democratisation.