Myanmar's Elections Underway Amid Widespread Criticism and Violence
Polls have closed in the first phase of Myanmar's elections, which have been widely condemned as a sham designed to legitimize the military junta's rule. The vote was being carried out in an environment of "violence and repression," according to the UN.
The military has touted the election as a return to democracy, but analysts say that most candidates are seen as military allies, and the opposition is largely absent from the ballot paper. In fact, meaningful opposition has been banned, jailed, or forced underground by the junta.
Voting took place in three stages, with large areas of the country excluded due to being under the control of anti-junta groups or experiencing fierce fighting. The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), a military proxy, is fielding the largest number of candidates and is expected to emerge as the largest bloc.
In locations where voting took place, campaigning was muted, with no signs or flags associated with Aung San Suu Kyi or her party, the National League for Democracy. The 80-year-old leader has been detained since she was ousted, and her party has been banned.
The election has been condemned by Western governments, but has received support from China, which is the military's most important ally. Campaigners have called on governments to reject the vote, warning that it could further entrench the junta's rule and represent a "significant step backward for the people of Myanmar."
The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, described the elections as taking place in an environment of violence and repression. Reports have been received from displaced people in several areas of the country, including Mandalay region, who were warned they would be attacked or their homes seized if they did not return to vote.
Myanmar has been gripped by conflict since the coup, which abruptly ended the country's 10-year democratic transition. The conflict has plunged the country into economic turmoil, with half the population now living below the poverty line, and led to "one of the world's most dire and yet underfunded" humanitarian crises.
The second phase of the vote will take place on January 11, with a final round on January 25. Campaigners are urging people to boycott the election and reject what they see as an illegitimate process.
Polls have closed in the first phase of Myanmar's elections, which have been widely condemned as a sham designed to legitimize the military junta's rule. The vote was being carried out in an environment of "violence and repression," according to the UN.
The military has touted the election as a return to democracy, but analysts say that most candidates are seen as military allies, and the opposition is largely absent from the ballot paper. In fact, meaningful opposition has been banned, jailed, or forced underground by the junta.
Voting took place in three stages, with large areas of the country excluded due to being under the control of anti-junta groups or experiencing fierce fighting. The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), a military proxy, is fielding the largest number of candidates and is expected to emerge as the largest bloc.
In locations where voting took place, campaigning was muted, with no signs or flags associated with Aung San Suu Kyi or her party, the National League for Democracy. The 80-year-old leader has been detained since she was ousted, and her party has been banned.
The election has been condemned by Western governments, but has received support from China, which is the military's most important ally. Campaigners have called on governments to reject the vote, warning that it could further entrench the junta's rule and represent a "significant step backward for the people of Myanmar."
The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, described the elections as taking place in an environment of violence and repression. Reports have been received from displaced people in several areas of the country, including Mandalay region, who were warned they would be attacked or their homes seized if they did not return to vote.
Myanmar has been gripped by conflict since the coup, which abruptly ended the country's 10-year democratic transition. The conflict has plunged the country into economic turmoil, with half the population now living below the poverty line, and led to "one of the world's most dire and yet underfunded" humanitarian crises.
The second phase of the vote will take place on January 11, with a final round on January 25. Campaigners are urging people to boycott the election and reject what they see as an illegitimate process.
my heart goes out to the ppl of Myanmar rn they deserve so much better than this rigged election 
its like they're being forced to choose between a bad omen and nothin at all. where's the real opposition? why are the candidates all just puppets for the military? 
china supportin the junta is not exactly somethin to celebrate 
the whole thing is just so messed up 
- they've got a lot to lose if myanmar actually breaks free from their grip 
but at the same time, u gotta ask urself, what's the real motive? 
to visualize this mess:
- maybe thru non-violent protests or online activism 
. The fact that most candidates are seen as military allies is just depressing. I mean, where's the choice for the people? It's like they're being forced to pick between a puppet and another puppet 
. And Aung San Suu Kyi, she's such an iconic figure... it's heartbreaking to see her silenced like this 
.
. It's like we're all just watching from the sidelines while Myanmar suffers.
. I mean, isn't democracy supposed to be about giving people a voice and allowing them to choose their leaders? It feels like we're losing that right in Myanmar 
.
and omg 80 yrs old aung san suu kyi in detention? that's straight outta a nightmare 
and btw, have u seen the state of mandalay region? displaced ppl being threatened if they dont vote? 
. and china is just over here supporting the junta, meanwhile western governments are all like "nope, we're outta here". what's next? 
China's support for this sham election is a major red flag - what's next? They're essentially selling out their own people to appease their friends in Beijing. 
. 
. "Hey, let's have a democracy!" sounds great until you realize all the "candidates" are actually just puppets on strings controlled by the military 
. And don't even get me started on Aung San Suu Kyi - I mean, can't she just get some space to chill? 
. It's like, what's next? A presidential candidate who's actually gonna make a difference? 
. Election is like, super legitimized by the military junta who overthrew the govnt a while back 
.
, she's been detained since she was ousted & her party has been banned 
.
. Fingers crossed they can make it through this crisis unscathed 
and what about aung san suu kyi? she should be free to campaign or at least have some say in this process 
it's just so sad to see a country like myanmar stuck in such a mess 
It breaks my heart to think about all the people who are still suffering due to the conflict and economic crisis. Can't we just try to do better? 
. i just want someone to come in and bring peace and stability to that beautiful country 
. my heart goes out to them 
.