(Naypyidaw, 4th) — On Friday (January 2), Myanmar announced the preliminary results of the first phase of voting in its general election, with the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) taking an early lead, winning 38 out of 40 seats in the lower house.
So far, only one seat result has been announced for the upper house, which was won by the Wa National Party.
This is the first vote in Myanmar since the 2021 military coup, but the election has been criticized by the United Nations, several Western countries, and human rights organizations because anti-junta parties were barred from participation.
One-fifth of the candidates in this election are from the USDP. Previously, the military government announced on Wednesday that the turnout for the first phase was only 52%, with more than 6 million people voting.
The Myanmar general election is being conducted in three phases. The first phase of voting took place on December 28 last year. The second and third phases will be held on January 11 and 25, respectively. The ruling military government claims that holding the vote in three phases will bring political stability to the country, but democracy watchdogs warn that the election will further entrench military rule.
This is the first vote in Myanmar since the 2021 military coup, but the election has been criticized by the United Nations, several Western countries, and human rights organizations because anti-junta parties were barred from participation.
One-fifth of the candidates in this election are from the USDP. Previously, the military government announced on Wednesday that the turnout for the first phase was only 52%, with more than 6 million people voting.
The Myanmar general election is being conducted in three phases. The first phase of voting took place on December 28 last year. The second and third phases will be held on January 11 and 25, respectively. The ruling military government claims that holding the vote in three phases will bring political stability to the country, but democracy watchdogs warn that the election will further entrench military rule.