Myanmar's Military-Backed Party Secures Crushing Victory in 'Sham' Election
The Union and Solidarity Party (USDP), backed by Myanmar's military junta, has won a sweeping majority in the country's three-phase general election, further cementing its grip on power. The results, which were announced over the weekend, show the USDP dominating all phases of the vote, securing 232 out of 263 seats in the lower Pyithu Hluttaw house and 109 out of 157 seats in the upper Amyotha Hluttaw chamber.
The election, which began on December 28, was widely criticized as a sham by human rights groups and Western countries. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has also expressed its reservations, stating that it will not endorse the process. Critics argue that the election was designed to entrench military rule, with the crushing of pro-democracy protests sparking a nationwide rebellion.
Myanmar's parliament is expected to convene in March to elect a president, with a new government set to take over in April. The outcome is seen as a major blow to Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, which was dissolved along with dozens of other parties. The USDP has been accused of being nothing more than a proxy for the armed forces, with its leadership consisting of retired high-ranking officers.
Turnout in the election reached around 55% over all three phases, lower than previous elections that brought Suu Kyi to power. Voting took place in 263 out of 330 townships, some of which are not under the complete control of the junta due to ongoing fighting between the military and armed ethnic groups.
The final round of voting in late January marked the end of an election process that began more than four years after the military seized power in a coup that overturned the elected government. The USDP's victory has sparked concerns about the future of democracy in Myanmar, with many fearing that the country is sliding further into authoritarianism.
The Union and Solidarity Party (USDP), backed by Myanmar's military junta, has won a sweeping majority in the country's three-phase general election, further cementing its grip on power. The results, which were announced over the weekend, show the USDP dominating all phases of the vote, securing 232 out of 263 seats in the lower Pyithu Hluttaw house and 109 out of 157 seats in the upper Amyotha Hluttaw chamber.
The election, which began on December 28, was widely criticized as a sham by human rights groups and Western countries. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has also expressed its reservations, stating that it will not endorse the process. Critics argue that the election was designed to entrench military rule, with the crushing of pro-democracy protests sparking a nationwide rebellion.
Myanmar's parliament is expected to convene in March to elect a president, with a new government set to take over in April. The outcome is seen as a major blow to Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, which was dissolved along with dozens of other parties. The USDP has been accused of being nothing more than a proxy for the armed forces, with its leadership consisting of retired high-ranking officers.
Turnout in the election reached around 55% over all three phases, lower than previous elections that brought Suu Kyi to power. Voting took place in 263 out of 330 townships, some of which are not under the complete control of the junta due to ongoing fighting between the military and armed ethnic groups.
The final round of voting in late January marked the end of an election process that began more than four years after the military seized power in a coup that overturned the elected government. The USDP's victory has sparked concerns about the future of democracy in Myanmar, with many fearing that the country is sliding further into authoritarianism.
... the fact that this election was rigged from the start is so frustrating 
... I don't think it's fair to the citizens who were hoping for a real change in government 
... what worries me is that the military will just keep on controlling everything, and that democracy will suffer as a result 
... I wish someone would take responsibility for this mess 
and aung san suu kyi's party got completely smashed 
... what happened to democracy in myanmar?! they need to take back control and make sure this isn't just another military coup 
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How can one party just steamroll every election like this?! The turnout was only 55%?? That's even lower than my internet speed on a Monday morning 
. And what's with all these "sham" elections? Can't they just be real for once? 
. This whole thing is a total disaster and I'm shaking with rage 
and now the USDP gets to be in charge again... it feels like we've been here before 
... I don't know, maybe I'm just old-fashioned thinking this way. But seriously, this is a huge blow to democracy in Myanmar. It's like they're erasing their history and all that's left is the military's grip on power 
they say its a sham election but i'm not surprised tbh, its been four years since the military took power and theres been so much resistance from the people 
i feel bad for Aung San Suu Kyi's party tho, got dissolved and all 
. 232 out of 263 seats? thats like me winning a game if i just sat on my ass the whole time lol. and 55% turnout? that's like saying half the country is okay with being controlled by the military 