Army proxy party claims win in first phase of Myanmar’s junta-orchestrated election

The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has claimed sweeping victories in the first phase of Myanmar’s junta-organised elections, even as official results have yet to be released.

The announced outcome—which few say was ever in doubt—comes after polls closed on Sunday evening in 102 townships under firm regime control.

Large parts of the country were excluded due to ongoing fighting, and sources told Myanmar Now that turnout in major cities, including Yangon, was significantly lower than in previous elections.

Despite the absence of certified results from the junta-controlled Union Election Commission, preliminary tallies and statements from political parties indicate that the USDP had the lead in most constituencies where polling took place.

According to USDP sources, Mya Tun Oo, a former lieutenant general who previously served as the regime’s deputy prime minister and defence minister, won the Pyithu Hluttaw (lower house) seat in Mandalay Region’s Pyin Oo Lwin Township, securing more than half of the votes cast.