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Myanmar Opens First Phase of Military-Run, Three-Stage Election

Balloting proceeds under conflict conditions, excluding many regions and barring key pro‑democracy parties.

Overview

  • Voting began on December 28 in 102 of the country’s 330 constituencies, with subsequent rounds set for January 11 and January 25 and results expected around the end of January.
  • The United Nations’ human rights chief condemned the process as taking place in a climate of violence and repression.
  • Aung San Suu Kyi remains detained and her National League for Democracy was dissolved, removing the leading democratic force from the ballot.
  • The opposition National Unity Government rejects the process as a sham and says it will not recognize the outcome.
  • The regime accepted observer delegations from countries including Belarus, Kazakhstan and Thailand after no ASEAN-wide mission was deployed, as pro-military USDP candidates contest many races, including some uncontested seats.