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Myanmar’s military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party claimed on Monday it had won the country’s first election since the army seized power in 2021, paving the way for a new government.
The party led by the former general is widely expected to win as the vote excludes the main opposition party and tightly limits dissent. In addition, 25% of parliamentary seats are automatically reserved for the military – effectively guaranteeing control of the armed forces and the parties that support them.
Critics say the polls organized by the junta are neither free nor fair, but an effort to legitimize their rule after wresting power from the democratically elected government. Aung San Suu Kyi. The acquisition triggered widespread opposition, dragging down Myanmar into civil war.
The election will be held in three phases, taking place on December 28, January 11 and January 25. Of the country’s 330 total communes, 67 communes (mainly areas controlled by the armed opposition) did not participate, reducing the original 664 seats in the National Assembly to 586.
More than 4,800 candidates from 57 political parties competed for seats in national and regional legislative bodies, but only six candidates ran nationwide.
A senior USDP official told The Associated Press on Monday that the party won 57 of the 61 seats in the House of Representatives in the final phase of contests held on Sunday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release the information.
The official said the counting of votes for the upper house and regional legislative seats was still ongoing.
The latest figures show the party holds at least 290 seats in both houses of parliament. This means that, together with the 166 seats allocated to the military, the two men have more than 450 seats, well above the 294 seats needed to form a government.
Final results for all seats are expected to be announced later this week.
After the results are confirmed, new members parliament Military appointees will propose three candidates and then elect a president. The other two will become vice presidents.
Current junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing is widely expected to become president when the new parliament convenes.
Tom Andrews, special rapporteur of the United Nations human rights office, on Friday urged the international community to reject the election results and any subsequent power arrangements.
On Sunday, Min Aung Hlaing rebutted critics of the poll, declaring that “it is the people living in Myanmar who vote. Not people from outside.”
“We don’t care if this is recognized by foreign countries. We recognize the people’s vote. That’s how it should be,” he said.