The UN has reported that at least 170 civilians were killed in military air raids during Myanmar’s prolonged election period, which has been widely condemned as a sham. The UN rights office cited “reliable sources” in documenting 408 military aerial attacks between December 2025 and the final round of voting, which took place last week.

 The election itself has been denounced by numerous countries and human rights organizations, with the military-backed Union and Solidarity Party (USDP) securing a landslide victory according to state media. However, voting was not possible in many parts of the country, which has been embroiled in civil war since the 2021 military coup that ousted and imprisoned democratically elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 

The National League for Democracy, Suu Kyi’s party, was barred from participating in the election. Many believe the military junta will exploit the vote to maintain its grip on power through proxy parties. UN rights chief Volker Turk has described the election as “orchestrated by the military”, highlighting the exclusion of opposition candidates and ethnic groups. He added that people voted out of fear, undermining their civil and political rights. Meanwhile, conflict and insecurity persist in many areas, with James Rodehaver, head of the UN Human Rights’ Myanmar team, noting that the reported civilian deaths are likely an undercount due to communication disruptions and fear of reprisals.