Overview
- Polling began Sunday in 100 townships for the second of three voting rounds, with a final phase set for January 25 and at least 65 townships excluded due to fighting.
- Official tallies from the December 28 first round show the military-aligned USDP winning nearly 90% of contested lower-house seats, with authorities claiming about 52% turnout.
- UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews called the process a sham, citing threats including conscription, pressure on displaced people and students, and prosecutions under new election laws.
- Authorities have charged more than 330 people over election-related speech and activity, while opposition participation is gutted with the NLD dissolved and Aung San Suu Kyi detained.
- The vote unfolds under a 2008 constitution that reserves a quarter of parliamentary seats for the military, as conflict and security risks constrain access to polling in many areas.