Myanmar Holds Final Phase of Election Dominated By Junta Allies
Voters show their inked fingers after casting their ballots at a polling station in Yangon on Jan. 25.
Photographer: Sai Aung Main/AFP/Getty Images
Voters in Myanmar began casting ballots Sunday in the third and final phase of a tightly controlled general election that’s expected to deliver an overwhelming victory to the military’s proxy party amid continuing civil conflict and international rejection.
The regime-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party said they have secured more than 85% of the contested seats in the first two phases, according to party spokesman Hla Thein and election commission data compiled by Bloomberg. Combined with the military’s constitutionally guaranteed 25% of seats, the USDP is set to control the legislature and likely determine the presidency.