According to a statement released by the election commission, the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won most of the seats in Mon State in the Phase One election which was held on December 28th. The election process operates under the military-led commission.
Out of the five townships where elections were held in Mon State, the Mon Unity Party (MUP) won only two seats—one for the House of Representatives and one for the House of Nationalities.
Mi Suta Jo of the Mon State Federal Council (MSFC) said that public awareness campaigns led by revolutionary forces resulted in many people choosing not to vote in what they described as the military commission’s sham election.
“What I see is that because the public does not accept something that is illegitimate, this election cannot be considered a legitimate election. It is widely understood to be a sham election. Revolutionary groups also played a role in raising awareness, and as a result, those who were able to stay away from voting—those who were not threatened—chose not to cast their ballots,” she said.
The military commission conducted Phase One of the election in Mon State in Kyaikhto, Kyaikmaraw, Chaungzon, Mawlamyine, and Thaton townships, where the Mon Unity Party (MUP) lost in most constituencies.
Among these townships, only Chaungzon Township saw victories for the Mon Unity Party. Min Soe Thu won the House of Representatives seat, while Nai Am Chan Mon (also known as Min Soe Khine) won the House of Nationalities seat for Constituency No. (4).
A Mon youth from Chaungzon Township said that local residents voted for the MUP due to widespread corruption, gambling operations, and abuses of power by military-appointed administrators.
“In a place like Chaungzon, opposition to the election by revolutionary forces was not very visible,” the youth said. “USDP members in Chaungzon abused their authority, were deeply involved in corruption, and—worst of all—openly ran gambling operations that destroyed people’s lives. Local residents became fed up with them and voted for the Mon party. Another factor was the absence of the NLD, which caused more votes to shift toward the Mon party. Even under these circumstances, it’s hard to understand how Aung Kyi Thein managed to win.”
There has also been criticism over the USDP’s victories—secured through advance votes—in various regions, including several townships in Mon State, during the Phase One election held by the military commission on December 28th.
The military commission announced that Phase Two of the election will be held on January 11th, 2026, in Bilin, Paung, Mudon, Thanbyuzayat, and Ye townships.
