Jan 11 (Reuters) – Voters in war-torn Myanmar go to the polls in the second phase of an election so far dominated by parties backed by the ruling military as the junta seeks to hide low first-round turnout in an election widely derided as a sham.
Myanmar has been torn by conflict since the military staged a coup against the civilian government in 2021 and detained its leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering a civil war that has engulfed large swathes of the country of 51 million people.
Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, the party that won the last two elections by landslides, was disbanded along with dozens of other anti-junta parties after it failed to register and anti-military groups refused to participate.
The United Nations, many Western countries and human rights groups said the election was a ploy to formalize junta rule through civilian proxies and was neither free, fair nor credible without meaningful opposition.
“Victory of the People”
The military insisted the vote had public support and was conducted without coercion. It is trying to put a positive spin on the election after the first phase turnout on December 28 was only 52%.
“This is not only a victory for the government, but also a victory for the people, an achievement for those who aspire to democracy and peace,” its spokesman Zaw Min Tun told reporters on Sunday.
Junta Chairman Min Aung Hlaing traveled extensively to promote the election, praising its success and urging people to vote. He is expected to play a central role in the next government but has recently dodged questions about his political ambitions.
A resident of Lata Township in Yangon, the largest city, who did not vote but witnessed activity at a local polling station, said many people voted early, fearing repercussions if they did not vote and fearing they would be insulted if they voted.
“They’re worried about what will happen if they don’t vote, and if they vote, they’re worried that other people will find out,” he said on condition of anonymity.
Army Party marches towards victory
The military-aligned Union Solidarity and Development Party, which won 88% of the seats in the lower house in the first phase, looked set for a resounding victory. The party was founded by the military in 2010 as its political vehicle and counts retired soldiers among its members.
Richard Horsey, Crisis Group’s senior adviser on Myanmar, said: “Consolidating the Democratic Party is on track to achieve a landslide victory, which is not surprising given how favorable the playing field is for them. This includes eliminating any serious rivals and enacting a set of laws designed to suppress opposition to the polls.”
A 42-year-old Yangon resident told Reuters he voted to avoid repercussions but did not choose USDP.
“I voted for another party. I can’t even remember the name,” he said.
Commitment Transition
The final round of voting will take place on January 25. The military said the election would bring political stability to Myanmar. Myanmar is facing one of Asia’s worst humanitarian crises, with thousands killed in the conflict and 3.6 million people displaced, according to the United Nations.
However, analysts warn that the junta’s attempts to form a stable government amid the fierce conflict are fraught with risks and that any military-controlled government is unlikely to gain widespread international recognition.
Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun said a new government would be formed in April and would be accepted overseas, leading to the easing of sanctions and the return of foreign investment.
“I believe that after the election, restrictions will be reduced and international relations will become more open and visible,” he said.
(Reporting by Reuters staff; Editing by Devjyot Ghoshal, Martin Petty and Michael Perry)
