coordinated actions form a systematic effort by the military to deny people their right to participate in public affairs. This hostile environment is likely to worsen as elections approach. While the military may allow limited reporting or civil society involvement to feign legitimacy, critics of the election’s credibility will face severe repression designed to create a chilling effect. Propaganda and unreliable information A substantial portion of digital information in Myanmar is unreliable and generated by the military and its allies. The military uses propaganda and disinformation to manipulate public opinion, showcase electoral processes, discredit opposition groups, and suppress criticism of its legitimacy. State-controlled media and military-affiliated private broadcasters dominate the media landscape, controlling nearly all television, radio, and printed media and maintaining a significant online presence. These outlets disseminate pro-military narratives, leaving little room for independent voices. Propaganda will likely intensify as the 2025 elections approach, portraying the process as credible and opposition groups as threats to national stability. Disinformation campaigns targeting pro-democracy groups will also escalate. These efforts aim to delegitimise opposition forces and justify continued repression. The spread of false information undermines the electorate’s ability to make informed decisions, compromising the integrity of the electoral process. This manipulation damages public trust in democratic institutions. By controlling information and delegitimising opposition voices, the military erodes confidence in democratic principles. This strategy risks disillusioning citizens, leading them to view electoral participation as futile or accept the military as a stabilising force, further entrenching authoritarian rule. Role of the digital platforms Digital platforms play a pivotal role in shaping public discourse during elections. Private platforms, particularly Meta, have a significant responsibility to safeguard electoral integrity by ensuring access to reliable information and preventing the spread of harmful disinformation. Meta’s content moderation policies significantly affect freedom of expression in Myanmar. While moderating harmful content is necessary, algorithms prioritising emotive and divisive material threaten democratic discourse. Addressing algorithmic bias and promoting credible information over sensationalist content should be prioritised. The recent announcement by Meta owner, Mark Zuckerberg, of the upcoming global removal of fact-checkers is especially concerning in Myanmar, where disinformation is rampant. Factcheckers are essential in countering false narratives. Meta’s Human Rights Impact Assessment on Myanmar emphasised the importance of supporting fact-checkers and independent media. Ensuring robust fact-checking mechanisms protects electoral integrity. Localised policies