Myanmar military-aligned party holds lead following second round of election voting.
As Myanmar enters the final phase of its contentious general election, the political landscape remains tumultuous amidst ongoing conflict. Following a military coup in early 2021, a significant portion of the population has continued to oppose military rule, raising skepticism about the integrity of the electoral process. While the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party seems poised for a decisive victory, concerns regarding the fairness of the vote underscore a broader crisis of legitimacy in Myanmar’s governance.
Myanmar’s military-backed political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), has solidified its position as the leading force in the country’s general election, according to data released by the Union Election Commission. With the conclusion of the second phase of voting on January 15, the USDP now holds an estimated 182 of the 330 seats in the lower house, a figure that exceeds the majority required for governance.
According to state broadcaster MRTV, the USDP won 86 of the 100 available seats in the recent round of elections. The final phase of voting is set for January 25, where additional seats will be contested. These elections are undergoing a three-phase process due to ongoing armed conflicts across various regions of the country, highlighting the complexities and challenges that the electoral process faces.
Despite this electoral progress, criticism surrounds the legitimacy of the election. Various human rights organizations and opposition political groups have decried the elections as neither free nor fair, suggesting that they serve to legitimize the military’s authority following its ousting of the democratically elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
The nationwide unrest, which has escalated into a civil conflict since the coup, continues to overshadow the electoral proceedings. Many constituencies across the nation have opted not to participate in the election due to violence and instability, with remaining regions conducting their voting in a climate marked by fear and opposition from armed groups against the military.
Scheduled congressional sessions are expected to commence in March, with a new government to assume its duties by April. This follows a tense backdrop where armed factions have reportedly attacked polling places and government buildings, further complicating the election’s integrity.
Additionally, the elections unfold amidst international scrutiny, with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) currently examining claims against Myanmar for alleged genocide against its Rohingya population—a stark reminder of the country’s deep-rooted crises.
As more than 4,800 candidates from 57 political parties vie for seats across national and regional legislatures, the electoral environment remains fraught with tension. Notably, six parties are competing for seats nationally, while legal challenges loom over some candidates, notably the People’s Pioneer Party, which faces possible dissolution due to regulatory infractions.
A new Election Protection Law has heightened restrictions on public discourse, leading to the prosecution of over 330 individuals for expressing dissenting opinions regarding the electoral process. This law stands as a testament to the military’s tight grip on governance and the ongoing struggle for democratic expression in Myanmar.
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