• Burmese
Thursday, July 17, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
28 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Politics

Shan State Takes Center Stage in Myanmar Junta’s Election Push

Maung Kavi by Maung Kavi
June 24, 2025
in Politics
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
Shan State Takes Center Stage in Myanmar Junta’s Election Push

Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing meets junta soldiers and their families in Kengtung on May 23, 2025. / CINCDS

948
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

As Myanmar’s military regime prepares to hold an election in December, the groundwork for the vote has been most visible in southern and eastern Shan State, as well as in junta-controlled urban centers within resistance strongholds, including Sagaing, Magwe and Loikaw towns.

The military’s proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) enjoys popular support in Shan State, home to 55 townships.

The junta’s election body has yet to offer details on constituencies but it appears elections are likely in eastern and southern Shan, the strongholds of the Myanmar military.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar Junta’s Power Transfer Looms, but Real Control to Remain With Regime Boss

Myanmar Junta’s Power Transfer Looms, but Real Control to Remain With Regime Boss

July 17, 2025
66
Myanmar Junta’s Recapture of Nawnghkio Shows Strategic Missteps by TNLA

Myanmar Junta’s Recapture of Nawnghkio Shows Strategic Missteps by TNLA

July 17, 2025
142
Behind the Scenes: China’s Hand in Myanmar’s Election

Behind the Scenes: China’s Hand in Myanmar’s Election

July 16, 2025
1.2k

On June 11, the junta’s Union Election Commission hosted a training session on the use of Myanmar’s Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in Taunggyi, the capital of southern Shan State. Around 70 officials from both southern and northern Shan attended the training. The commission also conducted a mock vote at Taunggyi University of Computer Studies, joined by faculty members and students.

Similar events took place at Eastern Command in Taunggyi on June 13, and Triangle Region Command in Kengtung on June 17, with military personnel and their families taking part in mock votes.

During his visit to local battalions in Kengtung in May, junta boss Min Aung Hlaing urged his troops to back candidates “who can genuinely work for the benefit of the country”. The comment was interpreted by some as canvassing for the USDP, whose leadership is dominated by ex-military officers.

Min Aung Hlaing has visited eastern and southern Shan State often over the past four years, meeting with locals and military personnel there, and consecrating pagodas at Buddha Park on the outskirts of Kengtung, a religious site that has risen to prominence under the influence of his astrological advisor Vasipake Sayadaw since 2015.

On his latest tip in late May, the junta boss had a bejeweled crown—one of the Myanmar monarchy’s five items of regalia—enshrined at a pagoda in Buddha Park. To many in Myanmar, the donation of the near replica of the coronation crown of Burmese kings was nothing more than an act of yadaya, a Burmese form of voodoo, meant to boost his chances of becoming president.

The USDP won a majority in Shan State in the 2015 general election. The National League for Democracy (NLD) and the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) jointly won a narrow majority of seats in Shan State in 2020 polls, together edging out the USDP.

The USDP has emerged as the strongest contender for the December election, after the regime dissolved pro-democracy parties including the NLD and the SNLD. USDP chairman Khin Yi said his party has even more candidates than the number of seats up for grabs at the Union level.

There are several ethnic minority parties in Shan State but previous election results suggest the USDP will clinch victory again.

Under the 2008 Constitution drafted by the Myanmar military, the Lower House (Pyithu Hluttaw), Upper House (Amyotha Hluttaw) and military appointees each nominate a presidential candidate, which can be either a lawmaker or a political outsider. The votes of military appointees, who hold 25 percent of seats in the legislature, and the USDP would be enough to secure the presidency for the coup leader.

As such, the USDP plays a pivotal role in Min Aung Hlaing’s presidential dream.

The regime has also demonstrated voting machines and conducted relevant training in Magwe, Sagaing, Loikaw and Homalin towns, which remain under its control.

The campaign period starts three months before the poll.

Of the 77 parties that have registered with the junta’s election body to contest the December poll, 54 have been approved so far. The USDP and other pro-junta parties including the People’s Pioneer Party led by Thet Thet Khaing, the People’s Party led by Ko Ko Gyi and the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party led by Sai Aik Pao have been particularly active.

Western countries have joined the civilian National Unity Government, other anti-regime groups and the Myanmar public in rejecting any junta-organized election as a sham aimed at extending military rule.

The junta’s key international allies, China and Russia, have backed the poll.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: electionsjuntaShan State
Maung Kavi

Maung Kavi

Similar Picks:

Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State
War Against the Junta

Another Entire Junta Battalion Raises the White Flag in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State

by The Irrawaddy
November 29, 2023
87.1k

Brotherhood Alliance member says it now has complete control of Kokang’s northernmost section after the junta’s Light Infantry Battalion 125...

Read moreDetails
Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow
Burma

Enter the Dragon, Exit the Junta: Myanmar’s Brotherhood Alliance makes Chinese New Year Vow

by The Irrawaddy
February 12, 2024
44.8k

Ethnic armed grouping says it will continue Operation 1027 offensive until goal of ousting the junta is achieved. 

Read moreDetails
Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses
Business

Drone Attack at Myanmar-China Border Gate Causes Over $14m in Losses

by The Irrawaddy
November 27, 2023
38.6k

Jin San Jiao is latest northern Shan State trade hub in crosshairs of ethnic Brotherhood Alliance.

Read moreDetails
Arakan Army Captures Myanmar Junta Brigade General in Chin State Rout: Report
Burma

Arakan Army Captures Myanmar Junta Brigade General in Chin State Rout: Report

by The Irrawaddy
January 15, 2024
36.6k

Rakhine-based armed group has reportedly detained the chief of 19th Military Operations Command after seizing his base in Paletwa Township.

Read moreDetails
‘Myanmar Military in Chaos,’ Swift Capture of Strategic Outpost Shows
Burma

‘Myanmar Military in Chaos,’ Swift Capture of Strategic Outpost Shows

by Yuzana
January 5, 2024
28.4k

Many of the more than 200 junta troops captured on Wednesday at Shan State outpost after brief battle were medics,...

Read moreDetails
AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns
War Against the Junta

AA Urges Myanmar Junta Troops to Surrender as Western Command Burns

by The Irrawaddy
December 18, 2024
25.4k

Ethnic army reportedly poised to capture regime’s last stronghold in Rakhine State.

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
TNLA Fights Off Myanmar Junta Assault

TNLA Fights Off Myanmar Junta Assault

Border Confusion as Thailand Shuts Land Crossings With Cambodia

Border Confusion as Thailand Shuts Land Crossings With Cambodia

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Behind the Scenes: China’s Hand in Myanmar’s Election

Behind the Scenes: China’s Hand in Myanmar’s Election

24 hours ago
1.2k
‘Not a Witch Hunt’: Upholding Survivor-Centered Justice in Myanmar

‘Not a Witch Hunt’: Upholding Survivor-Centered Justice in Myanmar

6 days ago
782

Most Read

  • Indian Army Accused of Deadly Strike on Separatists in Myanmar

    Indian Army Accused of Deadly Strike on Separatists in Myanmar

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Rakhine Fighters Close In on Myanmar Junta’s Naval Base

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Behind the Scenes: China’s Hand in Myanmar’s Election

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Recaptures Nawnghkio After Months-Long Counteroffensive

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Rogue Sagaing Resistance Fighters Held Over Robbery Gone Wrong

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.