IN a democratic system, elections are of the utmost importance, and the voters must exercise their right to vote, which is one of their fundamental civic rights to choose and determine the future direction of the country. The Republic of the Union of Myanmar completed Phase I of the 2025 Multiparty Democratic General Election on 28 December.
In Phase I, all can see that voters cast their votes actively and peacefully at the polling stations in 102 townships nationwide as responsible citizens without any pressure from 6 am until the closing of polling stations.
While the government and the people were choosing the democratic path, terrorist groups continued violent extremism and carried out malicious and brutal acts with the intent to disrupt the election process, prevent eligible voters from reaching polling stations, destroy open polling stations, and intimidate voters. These acts included direct and indirect attacks such as firing homemade heavy weapons and rockets from a distance, detonating sound bombs, blocking transport vehicles used to carry voters to polling stations, issuing threat letters, dropping bombs using drones, firing from fixed-wing, and spreading false information.
On the day of Phase 1 election, the terrorists committed destructive actions such as exploding homemade sound bomb at polling station 82 at the No 11 BEHS in Shwenyaungpin Ward in Myitkyina Township, Kachin State, firing 107mm homemade rockets into Shwetaung and Mingala wards in Loikaw Township, Kayah State, exploding homemade mines near KBZ bank in Ward 3 and near the Myanmar-Thailand Friendship Bridge II in Ward 5, Myawady in Kayin State, attacking the government office of Taninthayi Region with fixed wings, blocking ways of 17 palm oil farmers who were going to the polling station from Maran nursery of Yuzana Palm Oil Company in Aungchantha village-tract, Khamaukgyi, attacking the polling station 2 in Shwebo, Sagaing Region, with bomb drops, firing six homemade rockets to the Nationalities Youth Resource Development Degree College (Sagaing), dropping bombs near the polling station 3 at the No 2 BEHS in Sawbwa 1 Ward, Tamu, attacking from the north and south of Katha Township using heavy and small weapons, attacking inner part of Nantawkyun village, Madaya and Aungmyaythazan townships in Mandalay Region using 107mm rockets, dropping bombs near general administrative office, court and central prison of Myingyan, opening fire near the polling station 64 in Zone 9 and near BEPS (Pyun) in NyaungU. The terrorists committed attacks in 11 townships out of 102 constituencies of Phase I, starting from 27 December until the evening of 28 December. Although only five civilians were injured, voters who firmly believed in democracy, had confidence in and supported the election management of the government queued to cast vote in 102 townships of Phase I election starting from 5:30 am on the morning of 28 December, and the voters who were still within the compound of polling station from the opening hour 6 am to 4 am and after 4 pm were also able to cast votes. By 5:30 pm, Phase I of the general election was completed successfully in 102 townships nationwide.
During the pre-election period of the 2025 Multiparty Democratic General Election, terrorist groups also carried out acts intended to disrupt election-related processes. In 41 townships, they engaged in activities such as distributing and posting false propaganda leaflets in public places, organizing and inciting anti-election campaigns, writing incitements, hanging posters, shouting slogans and hurling insults to discourage voting, playing sound box, speaker urging people not to vote, destroying, toppling, or burning public awareness signboards and posters promoting successful elections (23 incidents), attacking election security members (four incidents), carrying out bomb attacks (six incidents), detonating homemade sound bombs (two incidents), bombing attacks using homemade grenades (six incidents), rocket attacks (three incidents), armed threats against responsible government officials and members of political parties (three incidents), and abductions (six incidents), amounting to a total of 54 acts of obstruction and destruction.
Even though terrorist groups and exile media attempted through various means to undermine the success of the election process, weaken the multiparty democratic system, and defame it through false and misleading reports, the Government and the people who support multiparty democracy successfully held Election Phase I with freedom, fairness, and transparency. This was done in the presence of international election observers, diplomats, media representatives, and voters who personally cast their votes.
Therefore, for the upcoming Phase II and Phase III, the government and officials of security and administration must make greater efforts to ensure that voters’ rights are fully protected to cast their votes safely. Responsible citizens who welcome and support democracy, and who desire nationwide stability, peace, and development, are urged to cooperate with the relevant authorities by reporting any information or suspicious activities related to terrorist movements to continue leading towards the democratic path through simple and peaceful means. — MNA/KTZH
