Myanmar's Elections: A Farce Under Military Rule
Sunday marked the end of the first phase of Myanmar's elections, widely condemned as a sham designed to legitimize the military junta's rule. The polls have closed in conflict-racked country, with analysts saying most candidates are seen as military allies. The UN has described the vote as being conducted in an environment of "violence and repression", likening it to a "theatre of the absurd".
The election is being carried out in three stages, but large areas of the country are excluded from voting due to their control by anti-junta groups or 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.
Campaigning has been muted in locations where the election is taking place, lacking the vibrant rallies that marked past votes. Aung San Suu Kyi's red flags and signs have been absent, as she remains detained since her ousting, and her party has been banned. The military has rejected criticism of the election, saying it was being conducted with public support.
Turnout in Yangon appears lower than in previous elections, with many residents reluctant to be interviewed due to fear of police crackdowns. There is little choice on the ballot paper, and most candidates are seen as military allies. Young men are anxious about being conscripted into the military, and there is a constant worry about business, personal lives, everything being very restricted, and no freedom.
The UN human rights chief has described the elections as "clearly taking place in an environment of violence and repression". The UN rights office has received reports from displaced people who have been warned they would be attacked or their homes seized if they did not return to vote. Conflict continues to rage across large areas of the country, with air and artillery strikes by junta forces continuing even as polling stations opened.
The election has plunged Myanmar 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. Campaigners have called on governments to reject the vote, saying it is an attempt by the military to "manufacture legitimacy while slaughtering civilians with total impunity". The second phase of the vote will take place on 11 January, with a final round on 25 January.
The military's actions have been repeatedly accused of indiscriminately attacking civilians, and it has previously denied atrocities. The junta's rule has been marked by violence, repression, and human rights abuses, making this election a farce under military rule.
Sunday marked the end of the first phase of Myanmar's elections, widely condemned as a sham designed to legitimize the military junta's rule. The polls have closed in conflict-racked country, with analysts saying most candidates are seen as military allies. The UN has described the vote as being conducted in an environment of "violence and repression", likening it to a "theatre of the absurd".
The election is being carried out in three stages, but large areas of the country are excluded from voting due to their control by anti-junta groups or 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.
Campaigning has been muted in locations where the election is taking place, lacking the vibrant rallies that marked past votes. Aung San Suu Kyi's red flags and signs have been absent, as she remains detained since her ousting, and her party has been banned. The military has rejected criticism of the election, saying it was being conducted with public support.
Turnout in Yangon appears lower than in previous elections, with many residents reluctant to be interviewed due to fear of police crackdowns. There is little choice on the ballot paper, and most candidates are seen as military allies. Young men are anxious about being conscripted into the military, and there is a constant worry about business, personal lives, everything being very restricted, and no freedom.
The UN human rights chief has described the elections as "clearly taking place in an environment of violence and repression". The UN rights office has received reports from displaced people who have been warned they would be attacked or their homes seized if they did not return to vote. Conflict continues to rage across large areas of the country, with air and artillery strikes by junta forces continuing even as polling stations opened.
The election has plunged Myanmar 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. Campaigners have called on governments to reject the vote, saying it is an attempt by the military to "manufacture legitimacy while slaughtering civilians with total impunity". The second phase of the vote will take place on 11 January, with a final round on 25 January.
The military's actions have been repeatedly accused of indiscriminately attacking civilians, and it has previously denied atrocities. The junta's rule has been marked by violence, repression, and human rights abuses, making this election a farce under military rule.
. It's like they're checking all the right boxes for a free and fair election, but at what cost? I mean, where are these 'candidates' really from? Are they just puppets on strings controlled by the military? And what about the people who can't even vote in some areas due to the conflict? It's just so sad 
. The whole thing feels like a farce, and I'm not surprised the UN is calling it out as being conducted in an environment of violence and repression. We need more than just elections to bring about change – we need real freedoms and human rights. 
they're just gonna legitimize the military's rule anyway... i mean i get that its like their way or highway but cant we just have some sorta democratic government here? and what about all the ppl who are living below poverty line now?? how much more is it gonna cost to fund this humanitarian crisis? 
and dont even get me started on the turnout in yangon... i mean i guess its hard to vote when you're scared of police crackdowns, but cant they just make sure everyone can cast their ballots without fear? 
anyway, cant blame ppl in yangon for staying home, police crackdowns are never a good thing. also, poor aung san suu kyi's stuck behind bars while her party is banned lol what a mess! 
. And have you seen the ballot paper? It's like they're trying to trick us into thinking we have a choice 
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. And what about Aung San Suu Kyi? She was ousted and now she's detained... it's like the military is just trying to silence anyone who speaks out against them 
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. It's like they're just trying to manufacture legitimacy while ignoring all the suffering and violence 
. I guess only time will tell if anything changes, but for now, I'm just gonna keep speaking out against it 
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And don't even get me started on Aung San Suu Kyi's party being banned... it's like they're trying to erase her from history or something 
. I mean, have you seen those numbers of people living below poverty line lately? It's crazy... they must be just ignoring all that to keep the military in power 
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. The whole thing's rigged, with the military proxy USDP runnin' the show. It's like they're tryin' to suck every last bit of life outta this country 
. And don't even get me started on Aung San Suu Kyi – poor lady's been locked up for years 
. I mean, what's the point of even havin' an election if nobody can run free? It's all just a big ol' farce 
. My heart goes out to those people stuck in this mess... 
. It's heartbreaking to think about all these young men worrying about being conscripted into the military and having no freedom.
but at what cost tho? half the country is living below poverty line it's crazy how much economic turmoil this election has brought on top of all the human rights abuses and violence. i feel bad for the ppl who are trying to exercise their right to vote but are being intimidated or forced to stay silent 
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This whole thing is just so messed up, you know? I mean, the fact that they're trying to legitimize their rule with an election that's basically rigged from the start... it's like they're laughing in our faces. And the conditions in which these elections are being held? It's like a war zone out there. People are too scared to even show up, and those who do are just going through the motions. 
We need to keep putting pressure on governments and international organizations to hold them accountable for their actions. 
. The fear of police crackdowns must be suffocating for many people 
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. The people of Myanmar deserve better than a farce like this 
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. And what's up with the Union Solidity and Development party getting the lion's share of spots? It just reeks of a rigged system.
. I mean, you've got people being threatened for speaking out or showing dissent, that's some serious red flags 
. Can we really trust this 'public support' the military's peddling? It's just too convenient.
. As for economic turmoil, it's no wonder half the population is struggling – the whole situation feels super unstable 
. The whole thing feels like they're just trying to make the military look good 
. I'm also really worried about all the young guys who might get drafted into the military 
is just so frustrating 
. And now they're trying to make the election look legitimate by saying everyone supports it? Come on 
its like the ppl r tryna send a message 
but whats the point when u got a bunch of proxies running on the military's behalf 
its crazy that half the population is living below poverty line 
2-stage election with 99% of seats controlled by the USDP 
its like the military got a free pass 
and the UN human rights chief just called it out on twitter 
thats some serious voter suppression stuff