By Than Lyan | MPA
Yangon — Myanmar’s military-proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has claimed a near-total victory in the second phase of the junta’s staged election, sweeping 15 out of 16 contested townships in the commercial capital, Yangon.
The results, released late Sunday (January 11), dealt a significant blow to independent candidates, including high-profile former lawmaker Daw Sandar Min.
A Predictable Sweep U Maung Myint, a central executive committee member of the USDP, took to social media platform TikTok to declare the victory. According to the party official, the USDP secured every constituency in Yangon except for Kyimyindaing Township.
The most closely watched race was in Latha Township, where Daw Sandar Min, a former member of the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) who had controversially chosen to participate in the polls as an independent, was defeated. Despite her name recognition, she lost the seat to the USDP candidate.
Consolidating Control Sunday’s results mirror the outcome of the first phase of voting, reinforcing the military council’s tight control over the electoral process.
Analysts note that the election follows a script designed to cement the USDP’s dominance. While a handful of smaller parties aligned with the military have been permitted minor victories, the vast majority of seats are being funneled to the military’s primary political proxy, leaving little room for independents or opposition voices.
