By Sohaib Shams
Myanmar will hold by-elections on April 4 to fill 55 parliamentary vacancies, marking the first vote since a general election earlier this year that critics described as designed to entrench military rule. The Union Election Commission announced the schedule Friday in the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper.
Election Details
The by-elections will cover 34 seats in the lower house, five in the upper house, and 16 in regional and state parliaments. The vacancies arose after elected representatives assumed ministerial or government positions. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party currently controls the national parliament, and the vote is unlikely to shift the balance of power.
Conflict Areas Included
At least seven constituencies are in towns recently recaptured by the military from armed opposition groups. Some constituencies lie in seven states and regions where armed conflicts are ongoing. The previous general election, held only in 263 of 330 townships, was disrupted by fighting in many areas.
Political Context
Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021. Former army chief Min Aung Hlaing, who led the takeover, was sworn in as president in April. Major opposition parties, including Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, were ordered to disband after refusing to participate in what they called a sham process. The military retains 25% of seats in each parliamentary chamber by constitutional appointment.
