Tension is mounting in Bago Region as the Military Commission enforces mandatory early voting in several townships ahead of the third and final phase of the national election scheduled for 25 January, 2026. Political parties and local candidates have raised sharp objections, arguing that the junta is misusing “advance voting” laws to prematurely conclude the election in volatile areas.
A local familiar with the situation said the Military Commission had informed and coordinated with political parties contesting the election in the area.
“In areas facing security concerns, the election is effectively being held early, that is how it should be described,” he said.
U Yan Naing Win, vice chairman of the Federal Democratic Party in Bago Region, said polling stations opened on 22 January under full security at about nine locations near the foothills of the Bago Yoma mountains in Gyobingauk and Okpho townships.
“The entire village turned out to vote on the early voting day so the process could be completed at once. It was not that the election was held early, but that voting was conducted during the early voting period, with everyone casting ballots at the same time,” he said.
In contrast, in Thegon Township, Bago Region, Daw Saw Yu Mar, central chairperson of the Union Peace and Unity Party (UPUP), wrote on her social media page on 19 January that she opposed the practice of requiring voters to cast their ballots early.
“Now, 11 groups have been instructed to vote early on January 20, citing security reasons. This is not advance voting but a final vote. The parties were not informed in advance, we only found out at 6 pm. The people also did not know, raising the question of who is above the UEC. As a result, we went to the township commission to protest, saying we would not comply, and replied at 10 pm that the election would not be held early,” Daw Saw Yu Mar said.
Regarding advance voting, Article 79 of the Military Commission’s Election Rules states that soldiers and their families, students, trainees, detainees, hospital inpatients, temporarily displaced persons, and citizens abroad with government permission are eligible to vote in advance in their respective constituencies, provided they have an advance voting certificate.
Additionally, the Union Election Commission (UEC), operating under the Military Commission, has announced that individuals unable to attend polling stations on election day including those with leprosy, serious illnesses, the elderly, women in labour, and civil servants, soldiers, and police temporarily assigned outside their voting area, are permitted to vote in advance.
Citizens over 18 who are able to walk normally are not allowed to vote in advance and must cast their ballots on election day. Those wishing to vote early must submit Form-13, U Nyi Nyi Lwin, central vice chairman of the UPUP, said.
“Our parties agreed that we can accept advance voting and the use of advance ballots. However, we do not accept using those days for the final. They are insisting that everyone must vote on the early dates instead of on the 25th. Our position is that if it is called ‘advance voting,’ there are already specific laws, bylaws, and regulations governing it. We told them to follow those existing rules,” he said.
The third phase of the Military Commission’s election covers several townships in Bago Region, including Kyaukkyi, Kyauktaga, Phyu, Oktwin, Thegon, Waw, Gyobingauk, and Okpho. These areas are marked by significant military tensions and ongoing clashes between the commission’s forces and revolutionary groups.
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