UN: 170 Civilians Dead in Myanmar Election Violence

The United Nations Human Rights Office has reported a staggering toll on civilian life in Myanmar, confirming that at least 170 civilians were killed during the country’s recent legislative election period.

According to James Rodehaver, the head of the Myanmar team at the UN Human Rights Office, the deaths occurred during a surge of military activity between December 2025 and late last week. "Credible sources have verified at least 170 civilian deaths resulting from approximately 408 military air strikes during the voting period," Rodehaver told Channel News Asia. This timeframe covers the entire election cycle, from the initial campaign to the completion of the three-phase voting process.

Controversial Election Outcome The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has already declared victory in the elections, which were organized by the ruling military junta. However, the month-long voting process has been widely condemned by democratic watchdog organizations. Critics describe the polls as a sham designed to "repackage" military rule under a thin civilian facade.

A Nation in Turmoil While the military maintains that the elections are a step toward returning power to the people, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Prominent democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains in detention since the 2021 coup, and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), has been officially dissolved.

The reported air strikes and civilian casualties highlight the ongoing conflict between the junta and various ethnic armed groups and resistance forces that oppose military rule. International observers argue that the process was engineered to ensure a win for military allies, further deepening the political crisis that has gripped the nation for five years.