Myanmar elections: voting begins under junta stranglehold with Aung San Suu Kyi banned

"Polling stations have opened in some areas of conflict-racked Myanmar for an election that has been widely condemned as a sham designed to legitimise the military junta's rule. The most popular party is banned from running in the election, and large areas of the country will be completely excluded because they are under the control of anti-junta groups or racked by fierce fighting. In locations where the election is taking place, campaigning has been muted lacking the vibrant, packed rallies that marked past votes."

"The red flags and signs associated with the country's most popular politician, Aung San Suu Kyi, and her party, the National League for Democracy, which covered the streets in previous elections, are also absent. The former de facto leader, who is 80, has been detained since she was ousted in the coup, and her party has been banned. The election has been condemned by the UN and western governments, but has support from China, which is the military's most important ally."

"China, Russia, India and Vietnam have sent election observers, according to military-controlled media. The military has rejected criticism of the election, saying it is being conducted with public support and is for the people of Myanmar, not for the international community, while junta-controlled media has said voting will go ahead in the most populous cities. The military is framing the election as a return to democracy,"

Polling stations opened in some conflict-affected areas of Myanmar for an election widely condemned as a sham to legitimise military rule. The National League for Democracy and its leader Aung San Suu Kyi are banned, and many regions are excluded because they are controlled by anti-junta forces or engulfed in fighting. Campaigning was muted and pro-NLD flags were absent where voting took place. The UN and western governments condemned the vote, while China and several regional powers provided observers. The military claims public support and framed the ballot as a return to democracy, even as intense violence and reported airstrikes continued elsewhere.

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