Military-backed party in Myanmar takes lead in contentious first election since coup

"Myanmar's military-backed Union Solidarity and Development party (USDP) is leading after the first phase of a contentious general election, early results cited by state media showed, in the first vote since a 2021 coup. Having sparked a nationwide rebellion after crushing pro-democracy protests in the wake of its coup, the ruling junta has said the three-phase vote would bring political stability to the impoverished nation."

"No date has been set for the final result of the election, which has been criticised by the UN, some western countries and human rights groups as anti-junta political parties are not in the running and it is illegal to criticise the polls. The election panel has not revealed the total number of constituencies voting in the first phase, opting instead to release partial results on a constituency-by-constituency basis."

The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) led early results after the first phase of Myanmar's three-phase general election, with the Union Election Commission releasing partial tallies for 56 constituencies. The USDP won 38 of 40 Pyithu Hluttaw seats tallied and 14 of 15 regional or State Hluttaw seats counted. The Shan Nationalities Democratic Party and Mon Unity Party each won one lower-house seat, while the Wa National Party secured one upper-house seat. The election faced international criticism, anti-junta parties were excluded and criticism of the polls is illegal. The junta reported 52% turnout, below previous elections.

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