Myanmar plans April by-election, including in conflict areas

Myanmar's military-appointed election commission has set dates for by-elections in April next year, according to state media. These elections will fill 55 parliamentary seats across various constituencies, including regions affected by the ongoing civil war. The polling day is April 4, as reported by the Global New Light of Myanmar.

The April elections follow a December-January general election, which saw the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party win by a landslide, absent any credible opposition. The UN and numerous Western nations criticized the election as a farce, resulting in Min Aung Hlaing becoming president through the junta. The USDP currently holds control of 84% of the bicameral parliament.

Myanmar has been experiencing unrest since a 2021 coup, which sparked a civil war that has claimed an estimated 100,000 lives and displaced over 3.5 million people. Some by-election constituencies will include areas in Sagaing Region, Chin, and Shan states, where anti-military resistance forces have significant influence. However, Rakhine state, bordering Bangladesh, where the military is engaged in intense conflict with the rebel Arakan Army, is excluded from these by-elections.