Myanmar's Military Proxy Expected to Win Landslide in Widely Denounced Election
The vote has been widely described as a sham designed to cement the army's grip on power. The military-backed party is expected to win a landslide victory, despite international condemnation and rejection of the election by key players such as the UN, human rights experts, the UK, Australia, and the EU.
Min Aung Hlaing, the junta leader, has rejected criticism of the vote, claiming it has the support of the public and is a return to democracy and stability. However, critics point out that the election process was highly irregular, with credible opposition parties banned and key figures detained. The military has also arrested tens of thousands of political prisoners since the coup.
The election took place in three stages, with the USDP running by far the largest number of candidates. The party had secured a majority of seats in previous rounds, winning 193 of 209 seats in the lower house and 52 of 78 seats in the upper house. However, turnout has been low, at 55%, compared to around 70% in previous elections.
The international community has largely rejected the election, with the UN calling it a " Sham" and the EU stating that the results lacked legitimacy. China, a key military ally, is backing the vote, which it considers the best path towards stability.
In Mandalay, one of Myanmar's second most populous cities, voters were reluctant to speak publicly about politics due to fear for their security. A local resident stated that people "miss our former government" and don't want the current military government.
The conflict in Myanmar continues, with an estimated 92,000 deaths since the coup in 2021. The monitoring group Acled has described it as "the most fragmented conflict in the world".
The vote has been widely described as a sham designed to cement the army's grip on power. The military-backed party is expected to win a landslide victory, despite international condemnation and rejection of the election by key players such as the UN, human rights experts, the UK, Australia, and the EU.
Min Aung Hlaing, the junta leader, has rejected criticism of the vote, claiming it has the support of the public and is a return to democracy and stability. However, critics point out that the election process was highly irregular, with credible opposition parties banned and key figures detained. The military has also arrested tens of thousands of political prisoners since the coup.
The election took place in three stages, with the USDP running by far the largest number of candidates. The party had secured a majority of seats in previous rounds, winning 193 of 209 seats in the lower house and 52 of 78 seats in the upper house. However, turnout has been low, at 55%, compared to around 70% in previous elections.
The international community has largely rejected the election, with the UN calling it a " Sham" and the EU stating that the results lacked legitimacy. China, a key military ally, is backing the vote, which it considers the best path towards stability.
In Mandalay, one of Myanmar's second most populous cities, voters were reluctant to speak publicly about politics due to fear for their security. A local resident stated that people "miss our former government" and don't want the current military government.
The conflict in Myanmar continues, with an estimated 92,000 deaths since the coup in 2021. The monitoring group Acled has described it as "the most fragmented conflict in the world".
"Absolute power corrupts absolutely" - Lord Acton 
This election result is really disheartening... I mean, I knew it was a risk that one of Myanmar's military proxies would win, but this landslide victory is just so overwhelming 
. It's like they're ignoring all the red flags - the opposition parties banned, key figures detained, arrests of political prisoners... how can you even call that a fair election? 
, I mean, who wouldn't want a landslide win for the military party? 
But, at the same time, I'm really convinced that the whole thing is a total farce... I mean, they banned opposition parties and arrested all these people? That doesn't sound very "stable" to me 
. Plus, low turnout is always a red flag, right? 
And what's with China backing this election? Isn't that like, super suspicious? 
Anyway, I'm totally mixed on this one...
Min Aung Hlaing is actually saying that he's trying to listen to the public and make things right, even if it's not always perfect.
The regime is like a zombie apocalypse... but instead of brains, they're just trying to cling to power 
. Like, who needs democracy when you can have a good old-fashioned coup? 
Min Aung Hlaing thinks he's got the magic touch, but really he's just a puppet master 
. China is basically enabling him, and EU is all " nah, nope" 
. He's saying that the vote has public support and is about returning to democracy, but come on... don't we have a way of verifying these things? 
. And what really grinds my gears is how China is backing this vote just to maintain stability 
. It's like they're prioritizing economic interests over human rights 
. The people of Myanmar deserve better than a rigged election and a government that's more concerned with power than the well-being of its citizens 
.
. Min Aung Hlaing and his crew are just trying to cover their tracks after all the, ahem, "reform" they've been doing since the coup 
. And on a lighter note, if I were in Mandalay, I'd be like, "Sorry, can't talk about politics, my life depends on it... or should I say, my internet connection?" 
Anyway, it's all so sad that the international community isn't doing more to support the people of Myanmar. They deserve better than this 
. The fact that people are too scared to speak out in public about politics due to fear for their security is just heartbreaking 
.
. It just smells like another case of authoritarianism spreading its wings.
. If people are so afraid to speak out, that's a major red flag. And don't even get me started on the number of political prisoners they've arrested 
. It's like they're trying to silence anyone who dares to question their authority.
. It's like, where was the participation? The engagement? It feels like all hope's lost when we see things like this.
. The fact that the USDP got 193 out of 209 seats in one round already seems rigged 
. It's also really sad that people are too scared to even talk about politics because of fear for their security 
.
. meanwhile, 92,000 lives lost already... that's a pretty steep price to pay for stability 
. Myanmar needs real change, and fast 
.
And don't even get me started on the fact that credible opposition parties were banned and key figures were detained. That's not democracy, that's authoritarianism at its finest.
the international community is right 2 say its not legit