Overview
- Malaysia’s foreign minister said the bloc decided at an October summit not to deploy observers, meaning it will not endorse the ongoing vote.
- Cambodia and Vietnam sent delegations on their own, according to Myanmar’s Information Ministry, underscoring divisions within the regional group.
- The staggered election began in December with limited balloting and low turnout, and the military-aligned USDP secured 88% of first-phase lower-house seats.
- The United Nations, Western governments and rights groups say the process is not free or credible, a charge the junta denies.
- Final results for national and regional legislatures are expected this month as ASEAN continues to press its agreed peace plan for Myanmar.