Geneva: At least 170 civilians were killed in more than 400 aerial attacks during Myanmar's election period, The United Nations stated on Friday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported that 'credible sources verified that 170 civilians were killed in some 408 military aerial attacks reported by open sources during the voting period - between December 2025 and January 2026.'

Myanmar's elections occurred in three phases between December 28 and January 25. In Bhamo township, located in Kachin state, a military airstrike on January 22 resulted in up to 50 civilian casualties. The statement also mentioned that 'armed groups opposed to the military reportedly attacked some election sites and election officials.'

Earlier this month, Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Htun, head of the junta's information team, announced that a new parliament would convene in March following the elections, with a new government expected to take office in April. The elections were largely held in areas under military control, and many segments of the population, particularly the displaced and minorities such as the ethnic Rohingya, were excluded, according to the UN.

The statement further revealed that 324 men and 80 women were arrested under Myanmar's 'election protection law,' including one instance where a 49-year sentence was given for posting anti-election materials. Reports of voter coercion were documented across the country.

Myanmar's previously elected government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, was overthrown in a coup on February 1, 2021, leading to more than four years of emergency rule. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk commented, 'The military is seeking to entrench its rule-by-violence after forcing people to the ballot box. This couldn't be further from civilian rule,' and urged the international community, especially influential states, to intensify efforts to end the violence.

In another statement, Nicholas Koumjian, head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar, called for an end to the impunity of 'serious international crimes committed since the military takeover.' He noted that 'there are currently no judicial proceedings for any serious international crimes committed since the military takeover,' emphasizing that 'impunity for crimes emboldens perpetrators to commit more violence, and ending this impunity is necessary for Myanmar to build a peaceful future for all its people.'

Since the coup, protests have been suppressed, perceived opponents imprisoned, and many subjected to torture, sexual violence, and other abuses, along with 'indiscriminate air strikes, artillery and drone attacks,' Koumjian added. He also mentioned that while most evidence collected by the Mechanism concerns crimes by the Myanmar military, they are also investigating reports of atrocities by other armed groups.