In July 2025, the military enacted an election law that imposes penalties of up to the death sentence on anyone who opposes or disrupts the election225. In the same month, it also enacted the Military Secrets Protection Law, which criminalizes the disclosure of military secrets. This law is intended to prevent the release of military-related information and to deter defection226. On August 1, 2025, the junta formed an interim government after ending a state of emergency that had lasted more than four years 227. Min Aung Hlaing assumed the presidency while remaining the head of the military. Following the formation of the interim government, the junta announced on August 18, 2025, that it would hold the first phase of a multi-stage election on December 28, outlining a roadmap for the first national polls since the coup. On October 29, the junta announced January 11, 2026, as the date for the second phase of the election. According to an announcement on December 26, 2025, January 25, 2026, will be the final phase of the election228. The junta claimed that the election must be held in multiple phases due to security concerns 229. However, observers believe that deep political and social divisions in the country make it nearly impossible to hold a genuine nationwide election. Some areas are dominated by resistance forces. Of Myanmar’s 330 townships, the three-phase election reportedly covers 265, including areas where the junta does not have full control230. In what has been widely described as a sham election, only six parties will contest nationwide231. Aung San Suu Kyi’s NLD was dissolved in 2023 after it refused to comply with the Political Parties Registration Law imposed by the military 232. In July 2025, “Myanmar’s Military Government Enacts Tough New Electoral Law Ahead of Year-End Vote.” AP News, 30 July 2025, apnews.com/article/myanmar-election-democracy-law-vote-military-fc36d312dafb24a7a30e201a612239c9. 226. Myanmar Junta Enacts Sweeping Law on Protection of Military Secrets.” Myanmar Now, 29 July 2025, myanmar-now.org/en/news/myanmar-junta-enacts-sweeping-law-on-protection-of-military-secrets. 227. Maung Kavi. “Myanmar Junta Boss Forms New Government with Eye on December Election.” The Irrawaddy, 31 July 2025, www.irrawaddy.com/news/politics/myanmar-junta-boss-forms-newgovernment-with-eye-on-december-election.html. 228. “Myanmar to Hold Third Phase of Election Voting on January 25, State Media Reports.” Reuters, 26 Dec. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-hold-third-phase-election-voting-january25-state-media-reports-2025-12-26. 229. “Myanmar Junta Forms New Government Ahead of Elections.” Radio Free Asia, 31 July 2025, www.rfa. org/english/myanmar/2025/07/31/myanmar-state-of-emergency-elections. 230. “Myanmar Junta Says Voter Turnout at 52% in First Phase of Election.” Reuters, 31 Dec. 2025, www. reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-junta-says-voter-turnout-52-first-phase-election-2025-12-31. 231. “‘Not for the People’: Myanmar Junta Prepares for Elections Designed to Legitimise Grip on Power.” The Guardian, 26 Dec. 2025, www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/26/myanmar-junta-prepareselections-legitimise-power. 232. Min Ye Kyaw, and Rebecca Ratcliffe. “Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy Faces Dissolution.” The Guardian, 28 Mar. 2023, www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/28/aung-san-suukyi-national-league-democracy-faces-dissolution-myanmar. 225. 54