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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/25/myanmar-election-enters-final-stage-amid-airstrikes-and-exclusions>
"Voting in Myanmar has ended with the military-backed party expected to win a
landslide victory after a month-long election that has been widely derided as a
sham designed to cement the army’s grip on power.
The junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, has rejected criticism of the vote, saying
it has the support of the public and presenting it as a return to democracy and
stability.
The election took place almost five years after the military seized power in a
coup, ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi and triggering a
fierce conflict that continues across the country. The 80-year-old has been
detained since she was ousted, and her party, the National League for
Democracy, which won sweeping victories in previous votes, has been banned.
“Whether the international community recognises this or not, we don’t
understand their perspective. The people’s vote is the recognition we need,”
Min Aung Hlaing told reporters on Sunday, according to video broadcast on state
TV.
The UN, human rights experts, the UK, Australia, and the EU’s top rights
official have rejected the election, saying it lacks legitimacy. China, a key
military ally, is backing the vote, which it considers the best path towards
stability.
In Mandalay, Myanmar’s second most populous city, voters were reluctant to be
interviewed, saying it was not safe to speak publicly about politics. “We miss
our former government, we don’t want this military government,” said a man who
was voting on Sunday in the city. He could not speak further, he added: “We
fear for our security.”
The military has arrested tens of thousands of political prisoners since the
coup, targeting anyone suspected of opposing its rule. A new election
protection law was also enacted in July, under which any criticism of the vote
can lead to a minimum sentence of three years in prison, and even the death
penalty."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
