Myanmar's Military Junta Pushes Forward with Sham Election Process
In the second and final phase of its military-run election, Myanmar saw a low turnout on Sunday, with voters lining up to cast their ballots in a process widely regarded as a sham exercise by the international community.
The country has been ravaged by conflict since the 2021 coup, which ousted a civilian government and detained Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is leading the election with an overwhelming margin, having won 90 of 102 lower house seats in the first phase.
The election has been marred by the dissolution of the National League for Democracy party, which won the 2020 election in a landslide. Su Kyi's party was banned along with dozens of other anti-junta parties that failed to register for the latest polls. Rebel groups have also refused to participate in the elections.
The United Nations and many Western countries have denounced the election as unfair and illegitimate, pointing out that it lacks meaningful opposition and is not free or fair. The USDP's landslide victory has been seen as a foregone conclusion, thanks to its control over the playing field through laws designed to stifle opposition.
Despite this, analysts warn that the junta's attempt to establish a stable administration amid ongoing conflict poses significant risks. The election has also been criticized for being held in an area where the junta does not have full control, and with areas still ravaged by war, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with at least 16,600 civilians dead and 3.6 million people displaced.
The final round of voting is set to take place on January 25, but the outcome has already been sealed, and analysts doubt that any military-controlled government will gain international recognition. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing hailed the election as a success during a recent visit to central Myanmar, despite widespread criticism.
In the second and final phase of its military-run election, Myanmar saw a low turnout on Sunday, with voters lining up to cast their ballots in a process widely regarded as a sham exercise by the international community.
The country has been ravaged by conflict since the 2021 coup, which ousted a civilian government and detained Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is leading the election with an overwhelming margin, having won 90 of 102 lower house seats in the first phase.
The election has been marred by the dissolution of the National League for Democracy party, which won the 2020 election in a landslide. Su Kyi's party was banned along with dozens of other anti-junta parties that failed to register for the latest polls. Rebel groups have also refused to participate in the elections.
The United Nations and many Western countries have denounced the election as unfair and illegitimate, pointing out that it lacks meaningful opposition and is not free or fair. The USDP's landslide victory has been seen as a foregone conclusion, thanks to its control over the playing field through laws designed to stifle opposition.
Despite this, analysts warn that the junta's attempt to establish a stable administration amid ongoing conflict poses significant risks. The election has also been criticized for being held in an area where the junta does not have full control, and with areas still ravaged by war, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with at least 16,600 civilians dead and 3.6 million people displaced.
The final round of voting is set to take place on January 25, but the outcome has already been sealed, and analysts doubt that any military-controlled government will gain international recognition. Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing hailed the election as a success during a recent visit to central Myanmar, despite widespread criticism.
. It's like they're trying to convince us that 90% of the seats mean anything when the opposition is basically non-existent. And let's not forget, this isn't even an election - it's a farce orchestrated by the military to maintain their grip on power 
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It's time for the international community to stand firm and say that these so-called elections are nothing but a slap in the face to democracy. The UN and Western countries should be more vocal about condemning this charade and demanding meaningful change in Myanmar 
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I'm not surprised by this sham election process in Myanmar. It's been clear for ages that the military is only interested in maintaining its grip on power and crushing any opposition. The low turnout just shows how hopeless people feel about their country's future. 90 seats won by one party? That's basically a joke. And don't even get me started on the UN and other countries calling it out as unfair – like, what did they expect? 
It's not like there was ever going to be a free or fair election in Myanmar while the military is in charge. The real tragedy here is that hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives and millions are displaced. And for what? So the junta can continue its authoritarian reign? 
. Like, how many ways do you have to try to sweep something under the rug before people start calling it out for what it is? The whole thing feels like a farce from the get-go - all these laws that limit opposition parties and make it impossible for them to compete... it's just not fair 
. And now they're trying to legitimize this "election" with international recognition? Like, come on 
. It's always the same story in places like Myanmar - the government finds a way to keep itself in power no matter what, and the people are just left to suffer 
. The fact that there's still conflict going on and over 3.6 million people displaced is just heartbreaking 
it's like they're not even trying to have a real democracy at all. and yeah, the international community isn't buying into it either 
i feel bad for the people in myanmar who are still living in these war-torn areas, they deserve so much better than this 
i mean who needs opposing parties when u got 90 seats out of 102 lol 
but idk, maybe thats just the difference between a real democracy and one that's been taken over by a junta 
And now they're expecting international recognition for this farce? Please. The USDP's got 90 seats, but it's all because they've been controlling everything through laws that stifle opposition... it's just so fake.