(Yangon, 11th) The second phase of Myanmar’s general election voting began on the morning of the 11th, with polling stations opening simultaneously in 100 townships. Voting is scheduled to end at 4 pm.
Voting locations include Hlaing Thar Yar in Yangon Province, a constituency that was previously represented by deposed and detained democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The military annulled the results of Myanmar's last general election and carried out a coup in 2021 to overthrow Aung San Suu Kyi.
Farmer Daw Daw Thin from Hlaing Thar Yar told AFP reporters outside a polling station that she acknowledges Myanmar faces "many problems." She said she is voting to fulfill her civic duty and hopes Myanmar can achieve peace.
The 54-year-old farmer said: “We know peace won’t come immediately. But for our children and future generations, we need to take things step by step.”
Regarding this election, she believes many situations will improve after the election.
Yangon is listed as one of the areas for the second phase of voting. A 50-year-old local resident told AFP: “I think the results of the election are only determined by the military.”
For safety reasons, he requested anonymity. He said that people are indifferent towards this election: “This election has nothing to do with ending suffering.”
Myanmar's general election is being held in three phases. The first phase of voting was held on December 28 last year in 102 townships.
The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), widely regarded by many analysts as a military proxy, led the first phase of this election, winning 38 out of 40 seats in the lower house.
The third round of voting is scheduled for January 25 in 63 counties.