China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Monday, one day after voting began in the first phase of the regime’s 2025-26 elections, that stability has returned to Myanmar.
“We hope that the subsequent second and third phases of voting will also proceed smoothly,” said Lin Jian, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, during a press conference in the capital Beijing on Dec. 29.
China sent an election observation team to monitor Myanmar’s polls on Dec. 28 with over 60 other delegates from Russia, India, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Nepal and Pakistan. Vietnam and Cambodia were the only two members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) who sent monitors.
Citizens living in 102 townships were able to vote in phase one on Dec. 28, according to the regime’s Union Election Commission (UEC). Only 131 of Myanmar’s 330 townships will hold a full election process and 118 will be held in designated parts, according to DVB data.
Polls are unable to be held in 65 townships nationwide due to ongoing conflict, while 16 townships will have polling stations in urban areas only, the UEC added.
Regime media reported that over 220 citizens were charged for “disrupting” the elections due to comments deemed critical on social media under the new Election Protection Law, which carries a minimum sentence of three years in prison to a maximum sentence of life in prison, or the death penalty.
Fighting between regime and resistance forces continued in several locations across the country on Dec. 28. In Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, residents told DVB that the Arakan Army (AA) and the military exchanged fire after the Thitpotetaung Navy base was attacked by the AA.
A regime administration office and an outpost in Theinzayet town of Kyaikto Township, Karen State, was attacked by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) on Dec. 28.
An unknown armed group attacked polling stations in at least three locations of Loikaw, Karenni State, on Dec. 28. No casualties were reported.
The second and final phases of voting in the regime elections are set for Jan. 11 and 25, 2026. China says it will continue to monitor polls in Myanmar and praised the regime in Naypyidaw for bringing peace and reconciliation to the country via the ballot box.
