The Sham Election of the Myanmar Military Junta

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A Mizzima report on the first-phase election day held on December 28, 2025 Date: 8 January 2026 1. Brief overview of the election Despite ongoing conflict and instability across the country, the Myanmar military junta has begun a staged election in three separate phases as a    political  move. The election on December 28 marked the first phase, with the remaining phases scheduled for January 11 and 25 respectively. The December 28 election occurred nearly five years after the results of the 2020 General Election, involving more than 27 million valid votes, were annulled. Throughout the country’s history, elections had only been conducted under the First-past-the-post (FPTP) system. However, the junta’s 2025 election was held using the FPTP, Proportional Representation (PR), and a combination of both. The PR system is designed to ensure that only candidates from the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and pro-military candidates are able to enter...
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BWU report reveals 88 sexual violence cases across conflict zones in Myanmar, widespread impunity highlighted

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Mizzima

A comprehensive report released by the Burmese Women’s Union (BWU) on 5 January 2026, documents 88 cases of conflict-related sexual violence across five regions in Myanmar including Sagaing, Magway, Bago, Ayeyarwady Regions, and Karenni State between January 2024 and July 2025.

The data reveals a disturbing trend of violence committed by both sides of the conflict, with 31 cases attributed to the military junta and its affiliates including 10 instances of gang rape and 28 cases perpetrated by revolutionary forces.

Of the incidents involving the resistance, the BWU identified 17 cases committed by People’s Defence Forces (PDF) under the National Unity Government’s (NUG) command and nine by local defence groups, primarily concentrated in the Sagaing and Magway Regions.

“Although most sexual violence cases occurring under NUG administration are reported to the People’s Security Forces, only a few are investigated. Many cases are settled merely with financial compensation, or investigations are delayed. Ultimately, perpetrators often face no accountability or legal action, and the cases are eventually closed,” the BWU report stated.

The findings highlight a critical failure in justice systems across the country. While junta-affiliated perpetrators operate with absolute impunity, the BWU notes that the NUG lacks effective legal frameworks to handle such crimes within its controlled territories.

Victims often face mishandled investigations or are forced into financial settlements rather than seeing perpetrators face legal consequences.

Consequently, the BWU has urged the NUG and all revolutionary leadership to prioritize the establishment of robust judicial mechanisms and protection services for women and girls to ensure that “federal practice” includes genuine social justice and accountability.

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