General Election, 28 December 2025

Earthquake, 25 March 2025 

On 28 March 2025 at approximately 12:50 local time, Myanmar was struck by a catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake near Mandalay, the second largest city and home to 1.2 million people (USGS 2025). This event marked the most catastrophic seismic occurrence in Myanmar in over a century. The earthquake originated along the Sagaing Fault, with a rupture extending approximately 1,200 kilometres from northern Myanmar to the Andaman Sea ( Gillard et al. 2025). The immediate aftermath of the disaster was severe, with reports indicating 3,786 fatalities, more than 100 individuals missing and 5,104 injured. Critical infrastructure including roads and bridges was also severely damaged (Reliefweb 2025; Futura 2025; Strangio 2025). 

Impact on the electoral process 

Following the earthquake, the military junta declared a state of emergency in six regions including Sagaing, Mandalay, Bago, Magway, Shan State and Naypyidaw (Savethechildren n.d.). Despite the devastation, the junta reaffirmed its decision to proceed with a general election scheduled for 28 December 2025 (Strangio 2025).  

The 7.7 Richter earthquake resulted in a tragedy for 17.4 million people across four regions and one state. The National Unity Government (NUG) and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) issued a statement on 10 May 2025 that ‘Every human being understands that this is not the time to organize an election’ due to citizens suffering the ongoing impacts (Permanent Mission 2025).   

International organizations including International IDEA called on the international community to reject and withhold any technical, material or political support for the military junta’s planned polls. The putative elections contradict international human rights standards, particularly due to the passage of laws such as the Law on Prevention of Disruption and Interference with Elections, which imposes harsh penalties including the death penalty for acts of sabotage or disruption of the electoral process (International IDEA 2025).