PBS News Hour - Segments Critics call Myanmar's first elections since military coup a sham as civil war rages on
Jan 10, 2026
Myanmar's first elections since the military takeover are shaping up to be controversial. With major opposition parties banned and civil war raging, the process is widely seen as a sham. Reports of military airstrikes killing civilians add to the tension. As the military regime pushes forward with elections, a pro-democracy movement in exile continues to provide essential services for their communities. The stifling of dissent and calls for international sanctions underscore the grim reality facing Myanmar.
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Exiled Newsrooms Keep Reporting Conflict
- Democratic Voice of Burma operates from exile and relies on risky reporting networks to document daily airstrikes and atrocities.
- The newsroom's work shows that heavy censorship inside Myanmar hasn't stopped information reaching the world.
From House Arrest To Overnight Detentions
- Aung San Suu Kyi rose from house arrest to de facto leader during Myanmar's brief democratic opening after 2010.
- Newly elected regional representatives were detained at 2 a.m. when the military seized power in 2021.
Constitutional Veto Preserved Military Power
- Myanmar's 2008 constitution guaranteed the military 25% of parliamentary seats, giving it veto power over reforms.
- That structural power meant true civilian-led reform remained constrained even before the 2021 coup.