The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), backed by Myanmar's military, has secured more than half the seats in parliament including the military quota, despite the election not yet completing all three phases. This has drawn heavy criticism as a continuation of power after the 2021 coup.
On 15 January 2025 GMT+7, the USDP, supported by Myanmar’s military, announced it had secured enough parliamentary seats to form a government together with military-appointed members, even though the military junta-organized election has not yet finished all three phases.
The USDP stated that after the election phases completed so far, the party holds a total of 194 seats across both houses. When combined with the 166 constitutionally allocated military seats, the pro-military bloc controls more than 360 seats, surpassing the majority threshold of 294 seats out of the reduced total of 588 parliamentary members.
Although the official results of the second election phase have not been announced, USDP leaders insist the party has won at least 70 additional seats, securing the military’s ability to form a government before the final election phase begins on 25 January.
The Union Election Commission divided the election into three phases from 28 December 2024 to 25 January 2025 GMT+7, citing security concerns. However, the election has been widely condemned domestically and internationally as an effort to reinforce military power following the 2021 coup. Originally, Myanmar’s parliament had 664 members, but the military government canceled elections in many uncontrollable areas, reducing the number of parliamentary members. Meanwhile, the military quota remains unchanged, giving the military bloc a clear advantage.