State of the World from NPR Will Myanmar's Election Change Anything?
Dec 17, 2025
Michael Sullivan, an NPR reporter with extensive experience in Southeast Asia, shares his insights on Myanmar's upcoming election amid tumultuous civil strife. He discusses the military government's desperate measures to legitimize the election, including propaganda efforts and arrests of dissenters. Sullivan highlights international skepticism, citing Human Rights Watch and the UN's views on the election's fairness. Additionally, he reveals the conflicting opinions of rebels and civilians, who yearn for stability despite the perilous circumstances.
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Elections Amid Active Civil War
- The military is staging elections despite active civil war and displacement across Myanmar.
- International observers and the UN say conditions do not allow free and fair voting.
Actors Arrested For Criticizing Vote
- State media broadcast arrests of actors who criticized the election and cited a new law banning interference.
- Human Rights Watch reports nearly 100 detentions under that law for questioning the vote's legitimacy.
Opposition Banned, Military Regroups
- The National League for Democracy is banned and Aung San Suu Kyi remains imprisoned, clearing the field for the military's proxy party.
- The military has been retaking territory to strengthen its position ahead of the vote.