Polling stations in Myanmar opened on Sunday (January 25) for the final round of a general election in the war-torn country, with a military-backed party set to win and the junta chief expected to take on a political role after the widely criticized election.

The previous two phases of the election - held on December 28 and January 11 - have been marked by low voter turnout of around 55%, well below the turnout of about 70% recorded in Myanmar's 2020 and 2015 general elections.

Voters in 60 townships will cast their ballots, including in the major cities of Yangon and Mandalay, amid a civil war triggered by a coup that brought the military to power.

Although the United Nations, some Western governments and rights groups have derided the polls as a sham exercise to perpetuate the military's hold, the ruling junta has vowed it will transfer power to a new government, likely in April.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

YANGON, MYANMAR (JANUARY 25, 2026) (MRTV- No use Myanmar)

1. VARIOUS OF ELECTION OFFICIALS CHECKING CASTING MACHINE AT POLL STATION

2. POLLING OFFICIAL WRITING

3. VARIOUS OF OFFICIALS REGISTERING

4. HANDS HOLDING BALLOT PAPER

5. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE REGISTERING AND CASTING AT POLL

6. ELECTION OFFICIALS SITTING AT HALL

7. VARIOUS OF OFFICIALS BEING SEATED AT DESK

8. VARIOUS OF OFFICIALS PREPARING BALLOT BOX AND PEOPLE LOOKING ON / BALLOT BOX