Yangon: The second phase of a military-run election in Myanmar began on Sunday. The general election is the first to be held in Myanmar in five years after the country's powerful army, known as The Tatmadaw, seized power in 2021. This coup led to the ousting of the government led by pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, who has since been imprisoned.
According to Deutsche Welle, democracy watchdogs, alongside the US, EU, and other Western powers, have dismissed the election as a sham designed to entrench the military's rule under General Min Aung Hlaing. The elections are taking place amidst a brutal civil war, raising concerns about their legitimacy and fairness.
Myanmar's military junta has claimed that the three-phase election would return power to the people. The first round on December 28 witnessed a voter turnout of 52.13%, a significant drop compared to the previous elections held in 2020 and 2015. On Sunday, polling stations opened at 6 a.m. local time in 100 of Myanmar's 330 townships, including major cities like Yangon and Mandalay. Regions such as Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay, Bago, and Tanintharyi, along with Mon, Shan, Kachin, Kayah, and Kayin states also participated in this phase. Many of these areas have recently experienced clashes or remain under heightened security.
The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), widely regarded as the military's proxy, is currently leading by a significant margin, having secured 90 of the 102 lower house seats in the first phase. Over 4,800 candidates from 57 parties are vying for positions in national and regional legislatures; however, only six parties, including the USDP, are fielding candidates nationwide.
Dozens of anti-junta parties, including Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, have been dissolved for not registering for the latest elections. Furthermore, the vote is not being conducted in areas beyond military control, as rebel groups opposing the junta have boycotted the poll. The election is set to conclude with a final phase on January 25.