Sham Election Digest (Jan 12 – Jan 14)

This document tracks the junta’s Sham Election activities, including laws, human rights violations, and crackdowns in relation to their attempts to fabricate an “election”. The news and updates counted between Jan 12 noon and Jan 14 noon. 

For previous development of sham election events, view here: Feb 2021 – Dec 2021, Jan 2022-Dec 2022, Jan 2023 – Dec 2023, Jan 2024 – Dec 2024, Jan 2025, Feb 2025, March 2025, April 2025, May 2025, June 2025, July 2025, August 2025, September 2025, October 2025, November 2025, December 2025   

For Sham Election Digest, view here: 27 December, 28 December, 29 December, 30 December, 5 January,  11 January, 12 January,

For Phase 1 Sham Election Overview, view here: Phase 1 Overview,

Sham Election General Updates

11 Jan: In Insein Township (Yangon Region), several parties participating in the sham election reported that the junta-proxy USDP secured victory through fraudulent advance votes lacking mandatory documentation. At Ywama West Ward’s BEHS 6 polling station and BEPS 23 polling station near Danyingone Junction, junta officials counted 240 advance votes that arrived without the “Form 13” voter list. Despite formal objections from the People’s Party and other candidates, the junta’s Election Commission validated the votes. The incident occurred in the same township inspected by junta boss Min Aung Hlaing earlier that morning.

12 Jan: In Kyimyindaing Township (Yangon Region), independent candidate Khin Hlaing (Zawtika) defeated the junta-proxy USDP candidate for the Pyithu Hluttaw seat during Phase 2. Preliminary results indicated that Khin Hlaing secured over 14,000 votes—winning a majority at 47 of 48 polling stations—while the USDP candidate received about 4,000 votes. The Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) candidate placed third with over 2,000 votes. Sources close to the junta’s UEC claimed that approximately 50% of the township’s nearly 60,000 eligible voters cast ballots.

12 Jan: The junta-proxy USDP Central Executive Committee member, Maung Myint, claimed via social media that the USDP won 76 of the 100 townships contested in Phase 2 of the sham election. However, he admitted that the party suffered defeats in eight constituencies: Kyimyindaing Township (Yangon Region), four townships in Southern Shan State, and three townships in Mon State.

12 Jan: In N. Shan and S. Shan State, residents stated that phase 2 voting was characterized by voting machine malfunctions, forced voting, strong military presence, and intimidation. In Mawkmai and Monghpyak Townships, voters stated that machines failed to print confirmation slips after voting, which led to results discrepancies and voting being temporarily suspended. Additionally, elderly voters reportedly made up the majority of voters as young people refused to vote. However, elderly voters struggled to use the electronic voting machines, which caused delays and confusion about results. In Lawksawk and Ywangan Townships (S. Shan State), junta troops closely guarded polling booths, which residents said intimidated voters and broke standard election procedures where armed forces were prohibited from operating near polling stations.

12 Jan: In Mon State, the junta-proxy UEC announced results for the second phase of the sham election. The USDP claimed the majority, “winning” 21 seats, while the Mon Unity Party (MUP) secured 17 seats across the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House/House of Representatives), Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House/House of Nationalities), and State Hluttaws. Five smaller parties won the remaining 45 seats.

13 Jan: In Shan State, the junta claimed to stage its phase 2 polls in 17 townships, but managed to conduct voting in only two in the north: Tangyan and Mongyai. Shan political parties had historically won these areas due to their large Shan populations. However, in the junta-controlled election, the junta-proxy USDP seized both townships. In Tangyan Township, voter turnout remained very low, and the USDP secured victory through advance votes.

13 Jan: In Yangon Region, residents reported that local administrators in multiple townships had pre-filled advance ballots for “guest list” residents who never voted. Authorities claimed these individuals were exempt from voting, yet their ballots were counted automatically.

Junta Pressure Sham Election

1 – 11 Jan: In Paung Township (Mon State), the junta’s Ministry of Immigration and Population executed a special scheme of National Registration Cards (NRCs) replacement to increase the number of eligible voters for the sham election. Residents reported that they obtained ID cards without the usual exorbitant bribes to the junta, which cost between MMK 200,000 and 600,000.

11 Jan: In Insein Township (Yangon Region), the Irrawaddy reported that in Ywama East Ward, junta-appointed ward administrators had conducted “vote-buying” by distributing cash along with voting slips to residents prior to Phase 2 polling. The Ward Administrator confirmed they had distributed the payments, claiming a political party provided the funds as “travel expenses” to ensure voter turnout.

13 Jan: In Kawhmu Township (Yangon Region), a constituency historically loyal to Aung San Suu Kyi, the junta-proxy USDP claimed “victory” amid an extremely low turnout. Local administrators reportedly coerced voters and openly campaigned for the USDP. A terrified populace largely boycotted the vote and caused turnout to plummet to 35-40%.

Resistance to Sham Election

11 Jan: In Mudon and Ye townships (Mon State), the Ramonnya Mon Army attacked five regime outposts and killed at least four junta troops. The group claimed it targeted only military positions during Phase 2 voting.

12 Jan: In Kyauktada Township (Yangon Region), 21-year-old Min Htet boldly raised a sign reading “Reject the Illegal Election” outside Yangon City Hall. He staged his solitary protest just as junta leader Min Aung Hlaing toured polling stations under heavy security. Junta forces swiftly arrested him.

12 Jan: In Mindon Township (Magway Region), resistance forces ambushed a 250-strong junta convoy escorting election ballot boxes. PDF Thayet District Battalion 4 soldiers killed four junta troops and injured others.

13 Jan: Resistance leaders announced that they anticipated an increase in junta violence against civilians as part of a “second wave” of conflict following the sham election, as the junta tried to cement control and legitimize their anticipated election “win”. The regime planned to convene a proxy parliament in March and form a government in April. However, the NUG spokesperson, Nay Phone Latt, asserted that junta atrocities would continue unabated. CDM sources reported that the junta had redeployed troops from stable areas, such as Yangon and Mandalay, to active war fronts in Karenni and Arakan states, and had attempted to leverage Chinese-brokered ceasefires in N. Shan State to fracture resistance alliances.

14 Jan: In Putao Township (Kachin State), the junta resumed gold mining operations around Machanbaw town and in Namsa Bum and Namshe Bum villages after the Phase 1 sham election in Putao town was completed. In early Dec, the junta temporarily suspended the operations, arrested mining operators and workers, and seized equipment. Since the attempted coup, the junta and mining operators worked together to forcibly relocate villages from gold-producing areas in Putao District and carried out excessive mining.

Junta’s arrests and detention

13 Jan: In Sanchaung Township (Yangon Region), it was reported that the junta raided the residence of Thet Thet Khine, chairman of the People’s Pioneer Party (PPP), and arrested her along with a central committee member. A force of 20 junta troops carried out the raid and arrest. In an earlier interview with NP News, she had criticized the junta of “destroying any level playing field” in the election by backing the USDP.

Junta Attacks and Airstrikes Against Civilians

11 Jan: In Karenni State, junta forces shelled residential areas during Phase 2 of the sham election. In Hpruso Township, junta artillery fire hit Law Htaw Ta Naw village, destroyed one house, and damaged another. In Demoso Township, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 102 troops, based in Ngwetaung, shelled the western part of the township while military helicopters patrolled overhead. Resistance sources reported that the junta reinforced troops along the main Demoso-Hpruso road to try and secure the area for sham polling. Both Hpruso and Demoso townships were included in Phase 2.

11 Jan: In Butalin, Ye-U, and Chaung-U townships (Sagaing Region), the junta conducted airstrikes on schools, monasteries, and villages during Phase 2 of the sham election. The regime carried out polling only in urban centers and was only able to open one polling station in Butalin Township. The three townships were among the 11 in Sagaing Region scheduled for Phase 2, most of which remain resistance strongholds.

12 – 13 Jan: On 12 Jan, in Dawei Township (Tanintharyi Region), two junta artillery shells exploded near Bawa Pin village. On 13 Jan, four more artillery shells reportedly landed and exploded near Bawa Pin and Wa Kone villages. These junta attacks forced locals to remain on high alert.

13 Jan: In Ye-U Township (Sagaing Region), a junta fighter jet dropped a 500lb bomb on Pin Sein Khin village, killed a child and injured three others. There was no fighting prior to the airstrike.

 

13 Jan: In Katha Township (Sagaing Region), junta LIB 309 carried out artillery attacks on Zay Di Kone and Pein Hne Kone villages near Katha town, and torched houses. Since 26 Dec 2025, joint KIA and PDF forces had fought to seize Katha town. Resistance forces controlled most outskirts wards and surrounding villages, while the junta held LIB 309 and limited urban areas. Most residents had fled, though some civilians remained in parts of the town.

13 Jan: In Tanintharyi Township (Tanintharyi Region), junta forces intensified military operations in and around Ban Law and Chauk Mile (Six Mile) villages after reinforcements arrived from Tanintharyi town. Locals reported that during the operations, junta forces also arrested civilians whom they encountered along roads and in rural areas.

Party Updates

12 Jan: In Shan State, the SNDP Party Chair, Sai Aik Pao, stated that while the party won in Kunhing, Laihka, and Mongkaing townships, it lost its stronghold of Mongpan Township—which it had held since 2010—to the USDP, after an influx of nearly 2,000 advance votes overturned the machine results. In Mongyawng and Tangyan townships, the party reported that advance votes from junta and police troops skewed the results in favor of the junta-proxy USDP. The party noted a similar pattern in Madaya Township, where their candidate led the machine count but faced defeat once advance votes were added.

Digital Dictatorship

International Responses to Sham Election

13 Jan: The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M) urged ASEAN to unequivocally reject the junta’s sham election and stated that the second phase saw widespread boycotts and deserted polling stations in Yangon. Highlighting that the process lacked credibility and excluded key political parties, SAC-M Executive Director Ben Lee called on ASEAN to support the National Unity Government (NUG) and ethnic resistance organizations instead. The statement stressed the sham election was conducted under coercion, and cited data that the regime launched 119 airstrikes and killed 176 civilians in December alone.

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