How Valid is the Coup Leader’s Claim of “No Major Opposition” to His Election?
February 26, 2026 | Burma Independent Voice (Fact Check)
During a meeting with the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force on February 25, coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing claimed that Myanmar’s general election was held successfully with active public participation and “no major opposition.”
BIV has fact-checked these claims and found them to be factually incorrect and misleading.
Claim 1: Active Public Participation and Success
Coup Leader’s Statement: “The election was a success because the people participated enthusiastically.”
Fact Check: This is false. In the 2025 election, polling stations could only be opened in 263 out of more than 330 townships nationwide. Due to ongoing conflict, citizens in the remaining townships were completely disenfranchised.
Even in townships where polling stations were opened, photo and video evidence clearly showed deserted and empty stations. On election days, major cities like Yangon and Mandalay saw “Silent Strike” movements as a form of protest. Any public turnout observed was largely the result of coercion and threats from the military council.
Claim 2: Absence of Major Opposition
Coup Leader’s Statement: “It can be said the election was successful because there has been no major opposition to it so far.”
Fact Check: This contradicts the reality. Long before the election, the military council dissolved more than 40 political parties, including the National League for Democracy (NLD), systematically barring any real opposition from participating. Internationally, the UN, the United States, and the European Union (EU) have vehemently opposed the process, labeling it a “sham” and declaring that they do not recognize the results.
Furthermore, ASEAN continues to exclude military leaders from high-level summits, as the junta has ignored the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus. Indonesia and Malaysia have specifically stated that an election held amidst ongoing violence cannot represent the true will of the Myanmar people and refuse to grant it legitimacy.
Claim 3: Military Strengthening Democracy
Coup Leader’s Statement: “The military is working to strengthen the democratic system that the people desire.”
Fact Check: This is factually incorrect. The 2021 military coup against a popularly elected government was, in itself, the destruction of democracy. Over the five years since the takeover, the military has killed and arrested peaceful protesters and continues to conduct airstrikes against civilian populations.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), as of February 25, 2026, a total of 7,829 democracy activists and civilians have lost their lives during the Spring Revolution due to the actions of the military and its affiliates.
Furthermore, a report by Data for Myanmar released on February 19, 2026, reveals that 119,411 civilian homes were destroyed by fire nationwide between February 2021 and August 2025. Of these, 115,568 homes were destroyed specifically by the military council and its subordinates. These actions directly contradict the claim of “strengthening democracy.”
Claim 4: Excellent Relations with Thailand
Coup Leader’s Statement: “Friendship and cooperation between the two militaries are excellent.”
Fact Check: This is a portrayal of routine relations as total endorsement. The visit by the Thai Air Force Chief represents routine military-to-military contact. However, the Thai government, alongside ASEAN, consistently pressures the military council to end violence and adhere to regional agreements. The ongoing influx of refugees into Thailand caused by junta airstrikes remains a major point of contention and a significant bilateral issue.
Conclusion: Senior General Min Aung Hlaing’s statements are a form of propaganda intended to project an image of state legitimacy and national stability to the international community. In reality, the election lacked public consent and remains a cosmetic exercise unrecognized by the world.
