Myanmar's First Election Phase Underway Amid Widespread Criticism and Violence
Polls have closed in conflict-racked Myanmar after the first phase of an election widely condemned as a sham. The military-backed regime has touted the vote as a return to democracy, despite widespread human rights abuses and violence.
Analysts say most candidates are seen as military allies, with opposition parties banned or forced underground. The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), a military proxy, is fielding the largest number of candidates and expected to emerge as the largest bloc.
The election has been heavily criticized by Western governments, but it has received support from China, Russia, India, and Vietnam. However, the UN has described the vote as taking place in an environment of "violence and repression".
The military's grip on power remains tight, with tens of thousands of people arrested for expressing political views since the coup. A new election protection law prohibits disruption or criticism of the vote, carrying sentences of at least three years in prison.
Turnout appears lower than in previous elections, with many residents reluctant to discuss the vote publicly due to fear of police intervention. The lack of choice on the ballot paper has also been criticized, with voters expressing anxiety about the consequences of not participating.
The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, has warned that the elections are "clearly taking place in an environment of violence and repression". Campaigners have called on governments to reject the vote, describing it as an attempt by the military to "manufacture legitimacy while slaughtering civilians with total impunity".
As the second phase of the vote approaches on January 11, concerns remain about the outcome. The military's relentless airstrikes against opposition groups continue, and the regime has repeatedly denied atrocities despite mounting evidence.
The international community's response to the election remains unclear, with China, Russia, India, and Vietnam supporting the military-backed regime. Western governments have been more vocal in their criticism, but it is unclear whether this will translate into meaningful action.
Polls have closed in conflict-racked Myanmar after the first phase of an election widely condemned as a sham. The military-backed regime has touted the vote as a return to democracy, despite widespread human rights abuses and violence.
Analysts say most candidates are seen as military allies, with opposition parties banned or forced underground. The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), a military proxy, is fielding the largest number of candidates and expected to emerge as the largest bloc.
The election has been heavily criticized by Western governments, but it has received support from China, Russia, India, and Vietnam. However, the UN has described the vote as taking place in an environment of "violence and repression".
The military's grip on power remains tight, with tens of thousands of people arrested for expressing political views since the coup. A new election protection law prohibits disruption or criticism of the vote, carrying sentences of at least three years in prison.
Turnout appears lower than in previous elections, with many residents reluctant to discuss the vote publicly due to fear of police intervention. The lack of choice on the ballot paper has also been criticized, with voters expressing anxiety about the consequences of not participating.
The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, has warned that the elections are "clearly taking place in an environment of violence and repression". Campaigners have called on governments to reject the vote, describing it as an attempt by the military to "manufacture legitimacy while slaughtering civilians with total impunity".
As the second phase of the vote approaches on January 11, concerns remain about the outcome. The military's relentless airstrikes against opposition groups continue, and the regime has repeatedly denied atrocities despite mounting evidence.
The international community's response to the election remains unclear, with China, Russia, India, and Vietnam supporting the military-backed regime. Western governments have been more vocal in their criticism, but it is unclear whether this will translate into meaningful action.
. And have you seen the turnout so far? It's like a lot of people are just going through the motions because they don't want to get caught by the authorities 
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I know some people might say, "Hey, at least they're showing support," but when you consider all the human rights abuses and violence going on... it just feels like whitewashing to me 
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... like, what's the point of even having an election if you're just gonna rig it and suppress opposition? I mean, come on, the military has got their fingers all over every aspect of this vote, from the candidates to the laws that govern it. It's like they're trying to prove a point: that democracy is for show only in Myanmar 
... and honestly, who can blame them? The West is just too busy trying to project its own power and influence to care about what's really going on there. And let's be real, China, Russia, India, and Vietnam are all about maintaining the status quo, so it's no surprise they're supporting the regime. Meanwhile, we're over here talking about boycotting the election like that's gonna make a difference 
... I think the only way to really "make a change" is for someone to come in and knock this whole system out from under them, but until then, it's all just a bunch of empty words 
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they're havin an election but like super critical of how it's all goin down... military's got a stranglehold on power & people r gettin arrested left & right for speakin out... 
and the international community's just kinda sit-tin there, some are even supportin the regime 