What's happening in Myanmar's civil war as military holds elections?

"Across Myanmar, voting has been cancelled in 56 of the country's 330 townships, with more cancellations expected. The conflict, triggered by the 2021 coup, has killed an estimated 90,000 people and displaced more than 3.5 million, according to monitoring groups and the United Nations. It has left nearly half of the country's population of 55 million in need of humanitarian assistance."

"The military is deploying troops and burning villages under the guise of territorial dominance', said Esther J, a journalist based there. People here are saying this is being done for the election. In most of the region, we haven't seen a single activity related to the election, she said. No one is campaigning, organising or telling people to vote. People [in Sagaing] say they have no interest in the election, said Esther J. They do not want the military. They want the revolutionary forces to win."

An election is underway in parts of Myanmar amid a multi-phased process while a raging civil war continues. Ethnic armed groups and opposition militias are fighting the military for territory across the country. Voting has been cancelled in many townships and intensified fighting, air raids and arson have occurred. The conflict since the 2021 coup has killed an estimated 90,000 people, displaced over 3.5 million and left nearly half the 55 million population in need of humanitarian assistance. In several regions there is little campaigning and local populations express strong opposition to the military, while China presses for stability.

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