The initial phase of the Dec. 28 vote exposed what he described as a “junta-orchestrated fraud” designed to entrench military rule rather than reflect the will of the people.
“From any point of view, this is not a free, fair or legitimate election,” he said. “It is a theatrical performance that has put enormous pressure on the people of Myanmar to participate in what has been designed to deceive the international community.”
Andrews, who is not a UN staff member and does not speak on behalf of the Secretariat, urged member states to reject the process, isolate the junta and pressure their leaders to cancel the remaining two phases of the vote.
“The international community must make clear that Myanmar’s future belongs to its people,“Andrews added, “not those who imprison, silence and terrorize them.”
Myanmar’s military authorities planned the phased voting process nearly five years after they seized power in a coup in February 2021.
The country has since descended into widespread armed conflict that has pitted the ruling army against numerous ethnic armed groups, leading to mass displacement, economic collapse and increasing humanitarian needs, further exacerbated by the devastating earthquakes of March 2025.
Two more rounds are planned for January 11 and 25, although the junta has already ruled out holding elections in at least 65 municipalities and thousands of districts and village areas, underscoring its lack of control over much of the country.
Very low turnout reported
According to the information cited by the independent expert in a press release, electoral participation in the first round was very low despite threats and intimidation.
The National League for Democracy, which won sweeping victories in the 2015 and 2020 elections, was banned from participating after being dissolved by the military. Its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has been detained since the coup and her whereabouts and current condition are unknown.
Official results indicate that the junta’s representative, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, won almost 90 percent of the seats contested in the lower house of parliament.
“It should surprise no one that the military-backed party won a landslide victory,“said Mr. Andrews. “The junta designed the polls to ensure victory for its representative, entrench military dominance and fabricate a façade of legitimacy while violence and repression continue unabated.”
Threats and coercion
Andrews said junta forces have used the threat of conscription to force young people to vote. “This is not political participation; it is coercion,” he said.
Displaced people, students, public officials, and prisoners were also reportedly pressured to participate under threats of being denied humanitarian aid, education, immigration documents, and other essential services.
“Free, fair and credible elections cannot be held when thousands of political prisoners are behind barsCredible opposition parties have been disbanded, journalists are muzzled and fundamental freedoms are crushed,” Andrews said.
Andrews also called on all armed groups to refrain from attacking civilians following reports of deadly attacks on election officials. “Attacks against civilians, by any combatant, are illegal and unacceptable,” said.
Deep concerns
UN officials have repeatedly warned that elections held under current conditions risk worsening instability.
Before the vote, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned that civilians everywhere were being forced into a climate of fear, violence and massive repression, leaving no room for free or meaningful participation.
Special Rapporteurs are independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and report on human rights situations. They are not UN staff, they do not speak on behalf of the UN Secretariat and they do not receive a salary for their work.