"Myanmar is preparing to go to the polls for the first time since its military seized power in a coup in 2021, but with its former leader behind bars, its most successful political party disbanded and roughly a third of the country either disputed or in rebel hands, few believe claims by its military rulers that its 28 December election will be free and fair."
"When polls open on Sunday, almost five years after the military seized control of the country, the generals will be hoping the vote legitimises their grip on power and allows them to repair their image of international pariahs. The military has rejected criticism of the vote, saying the election was not being conducted through coercion and that it has public support."
"Many western governments, and the United Nations, have dismissed the vote as a sham. However, the junta's most important ally, China, which has helped the military claw back from the brink on the battlefield, is backing the election, which is being held in three phases. Commentators say that China views the vote as the country's best path back to stability."
An election scheduled for 28 December marks the first nationwide vote since the 2021 military coup, held while the former leader remains imprisoned and the main political party has disbanded. Roughly a third of Myanmar is either disputed or controlled by rebels, and many observers reject junta claims that the vote will be free and fair. The military says the election has public support and denies coercion, while Western governments and the UN call it a sham. China, the junta's key ally, backs the vote. Conflict intensity has increased, with air and drone strikes and frequent hits on civic infrastructure.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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