Myanmar’s military rulers are orchestrating what critics universally decry as fake elections. Dubbed a ‘pantomime’ by diplomats, the process unfolding in three stages through January 25 seeks global acceptance without delivering democracy. The Telegraph’s investigation reveals a grim picture: armed guards at polls, relentless pro-voting propaganda, but tepid public response in urban hubs.
Beijing wants a stable neighbor, not a failed state, yet acknowledges the polls’ flaws. This is the first vote since the 2021 coup that toppled Aung San Suu Kyi after her landslide triumph. Back then, voters turned out in droves; now, fear and disillusionment prevail.
A woman’s confession from Yangon sums up the atmosphere: ‘No vote feels safe. Participate, and I sell out my principles. Boycott, and I invite trouble.’ With the coup nearing its fifth anniversary, endless war, financial meltdown, and societal fractures have left scars deep.
Analysts say the junta prioritizes voter herding over healing the nation. Ex-UN rapporteur Yanghee Lee calls it peak military deception: ‘Not free, not fair – outcomes fixed to seal off democracy forever.’
These elections won’t heal Myanmar; they’ll harden authoritarian control. The world should call out this predetermined ritual and push for accountability, giving voice to a silenced populace yearning for real change.