Myanmar holds second phase of military-run election amid criticism and low turnout

Voters queued on Sunday to cast ballots in the second stage of a military-run election in Myanmar, after low turnout in the initial round that critics say is a tool to formalise junta rule. The country has been ravaged by conflict since the military ousted a civilian government in a 2021 coup and detained Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, sparking a civil war across large parts of the 51 million-strong nation.

Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy was dissolved along with dozens of other anti-junta parties for failing to register for the latest polls, and rebel groups refused to take part. The United Nations, many western countries and human rights groups say the election is a sham that is neither free, fair nor credible in the absence of a meaningful opposition.

Richard Horsey, senior Myanmar adviser for Crisis Group, said: "The USDP is on track for a landslide victory, which is hardly a surprise given the extent to which the playing field was tilted in its favour." In the first phase on 28 December the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party won 90 of the 102 lower house seats contested, with turnout of 52.13%, much lower than in 2020 and 2015.

A final round is scheduled for 25 January, with voting planned in 265 of Myanmar’s 330 townships, including areas where the junta does not have full control.

Key Topics

World, Myanmar, Usdp, Suu Kyi, Min Aung Hlaing, United Nations