The　incorporation　of　polymers　modifies　the　viscoelastic　properties　of　water　droplets　in　an　oil　matrix,　complicating　the　electro-demulsification　process　of　produced　fluids　containing　these　polymers.　However,　the　exact　mechanisms　by　which　polymers　influence　the　electrostatic　coalescence　of　droplets　remain　unclear.　This　paper　conducts　a　micro-experimental　analysis　of　the　motion　and　coalescence　properties　of　polymer-containing　water　droplets　within　an　oil　medium　exposed　to　DC　electric　fields.　Findings　demonstrate　that　polymers　enhance　the　viscoelastic　properties　of　the　droplets,　inhibiting　their　internal　circulation.　This　reduction　in　internal　circulation　alters　the　flow　dynamics　within　the　oil-water　junction,　increasing　resistance　to　droplet　deformation　and　movement.　Consequently,　we　propose　a　velocity　equation　for　polymer-containing　droplets.　The　adhesion　effects　of　polymers　between　droplets　facilitate　droplet　coalescence,　increasing　the　critical　electric　capillary　number.　Based　on　these　findings,　the　electrostatic　coalescence　criterion　for　polymer-containing　droplets　is　established,　which　offers　a　theoretical　foundation　for　improving　the　electrodemulsification　of　polymer-containing　extracted　fluids.　©　2025　Elsevier　Ltd