Phase (1) Election Concludes with Low Voter Turnout

Pajau Media

December 30, 2025

According to local residents, voter turnout in the military junta’s Phase (1) election in Myitkyina, Kachin State, was extremely low.

A Myitkyina resident said, “In Du Kahtawng Ward alone, there are more than 7,000 registered voters, but only a little over 1,000 people came to vote. It’s very low.”

As a result, after polling stations closed at one polling station in Du Kahtawng Ward, only 1,500 out of 7,000 registered voters had cast their ballots, indicating that the overall voter turnout rate among eligible voters was extremely weak.

“The number of people coming to vote is not as high as before. I also went to vote myself, because when you travel, they check your ID and ask whether you have voted or not, so I voted at a suitable place,” the added another resident.

At present, the military backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has entered the elections nationwide across all constituencies without any competitors and is considered most likely to regain power, according to both domestic and international observers.

In addition, voter turnout in yesterday’s election was reportedly significantly lower than in the 2020 general election.

Phase (2) and Phase (3) of the election are scheduled to be held on January 11 and January 25, respectively.

Since the military coup, newly emerged armed groups and ethnic armed organizations continue to engage in clashes with the military across the country.

News: Htu Seng