Myanmar Military Moves to Solidify Power
Naypyidaw, Myanmar — January 11, 2026
The military junta of Myanmar has initiated the second phase of its three-stage general election today, Sunday, January 11, 2026.
As polling stations opened across 100 townships, the atmosphere remained tense, marked by heavy security and a backdrop of ongoing civil war.
This electoral process, which the military leadership claims will return the nation to “disciplined democracy,” has been widely denounced by international observers and internal resistance groups as a strategic maneuver to formalize and legitimize military rule under a civilian facade.
Headline Points:
 • Phase Two Commences: Voting began at 6:00 AM local time across 100 townships in regions including Sagaing, Magway, and Mandalay.
 • Junta Proxy Dominance: The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) claimed over 80% of seats in the first phase held on December 28.
 • Low Voter Participation: Despite official claims of a 52% turnout in the first round, local reports suggest many citizens are boycotting the polls in protest.
 • International Condemnation: The United Nations and Western nations have labeled the election a “sham,” citing the dissolution of the main opposition, the National League for Democracy (NLD).
 • Escalating Conflict: Resistance forces, including the People’s Defense Force (PDF), have launched pre-emptive strikes to disrupt the electoral infrastructure in several provinces.
In the streets of Yangon and Mandalay, the presence of armed security personnel at every street corner and polling station underscores the fragility of the peace the junta claims to have established.
This second phase is particularly critical, as it covers areas that have been hotspots for the resistance movement over the past year.
While state media broadcasts images of citizens casting their ballots, independent sources describe a climate of coercion, where government employees and internally displaced persons are reportedly pressured to participate under threat of losing benefits or facing legal repercussions.
The political landscape of Myanmar has been fundamentally altered since the 2021 coup. With Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi still in detention and her party dissolved for refusing to register under new, restrictive election laws, there is no viable opposition to challenge the military’s grip.
The USDP, serving as the military’s civilian proxy, is expected to sweep this phase as well, paving the way for a government that remains beholden to General Min Aung Hlaing and the senior generals.
The Castle Journal Global’s exclusive analysis of the situation suggests that this election is less about democratic representation and more about a “costume change.”
By installing a legislature filled with loyalists, the junta hopes to signal to regional neighbors—particularly those in ASEAN—that the country is stabilizing.
However, the ground reality remains one of fragmentation. Over 60 townships have been excluded from the voting process entirely due to active fighting, meaning a significant portion of the population remains disenfranchised.
The final phase of this controversial election is scheduled for January 25. Until then, the risk of increased violence remains high as resistance groups view the election as an existential threat to their struggle for a truly democratic Myanmar.
For the global leadership, the question remains whether these results will be accepted as a fait accompli or if the international community will maintain its stance of non-recognition, further isolating the Naypyidaw regime.
