Myanmar's Military Junta Seeks Legitimacy in Second Phase of Widely Criticised Election
The second phase of Myanmar's military-run election began on Sunday, with voters queuing up to cast their ballots in areas ravaged by conflict since the 2021 coup that ousted a civilian government and detained Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. The polls have been widely decried as a "sham exercise" devoid of free and fair elements, with many Western countries and human rights groups condemning the electoral process.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, which dominated the last election in 2020, has been dissolved along with dozens of other anti-junta parties for failing to register. Rebel groups have also refused to participate, further underscoring the legitimacy concerns surrounding the polls.
The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), backed by the junta, is leading by a substantial margin after winning 90 of the 102 lower house seats in the first phase on December 28. The turnout was only 52.13%, significantly lower than previous elections in 2020 and 2015.
The USDP's landslide victory has been predicted, with many analysts attributing it to the junta's efforts to rig the playing field against its opponents. Critics argue that the electoral process is designed to stifle opposition and legitimize the junta's rule.
A final round of voting will take place on January 25, covering 265 out of Myanmar's 330 townships. The junta claims the election will bring stability and a better future for the country, which is facing one of Asia's most severe humanitarian crises.
However, analysts warn that the junta's attempt to establish a stable administration amidst ongoing conflict carries significant risks, with military-controlled governments unlikely to gain broad international recognition.
The second phase of Myanmar's military-run election began on Sunday, with voters queuing up to cast their ballots in areas ravaged by conflict since the 2021 coup that ousted a civilian government and detained Nobel peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. The polls have been widely decried as a "sham exercise" devoid of free and fair elements, with many Western countries and human rights groups condemning the electoral process.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, which dominated the last election in 2020, has been dissolved along with dozens of other anti-junta parties for failing to register. Rebel groups have also refused to participate, further underscoring the legitimacy concerns surrounding the polls.
The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), backed by the junta, is leading by a substantial margin after winning 90 of the 102 lower house seats in the first phase on December 28. The turnout was only 52.13%, significantly lower than previous elections in 2020 and 2015.
The USDP's landslide victory has been predicted, with many analysts attributing it to the junta's efforts to rig the playing field against its opponents. Critics argue that the electoral process is designed to stifle opposition and legitimize the junta's rule.
A final round of voting will take place on January 25, covering 265 out of Myanmar's 330 townships. The junta claims the election will bring stability and a better future for the country, which is facing one of Asia's most severe humanitarian crises.
However, analysts warn that the junta's attempt to establish a stable administration amidst ongoing conflict carries significant risks, with military-controlled governments unlikely to gain broad international recognition.
this election is gonna be super rigged, can't even believe they're tryin' to make it seem legit after all the shenanigans that went down in '21... like, why did Suu Kyi's party get dissolved for no reason? and 52.13% turnout? that's sketchy, fam... the USDP is just gonna keep on riggin' the system, makin' sure those rebel groups don't have a say in it... 
all this talk about stability and future, but we all know what's really goin' down here... 
i mean who needs free and fair elections when u got a winner? USDP is gonna win everything cuz junta said so 
they r all about stability and better future for myanmar but international recog is not on their side 
what's the point of having elections if u cant even call out the winner? 
The whole system feels like a joke. I mean, how can you trust an election when the opposition parties get dissolved and rebel groups aren't even participating? It's all just so rigged from the start. And with the low turnout? That just screams "desperate attempt to legitimize power". Meanwhile, the people of Myanmar are still suffering from the conflict and humanitarian crisis... 
Can we just call this what it is: a sham exercise in maintaining the junta's grip on power? 
. I hope the international community keeps an eye on things and doesn't turn a blind eye to what's going on over there 
. It seems like the military is trying to sweep everything under the rug and make it seem legit. But how can you trust an election when all the opposition parties are banned and rebel groups aren't participating?