The armed forces have ruled Myanmar for most of the nation’s post-independence history before a decade-long democratic thaw saw civilians assume control.

But the military snatched back power with a 2021 coup, deposing and detaining Aung San Suu Kyi after claiming a landslide election victory over the pro-military party by means of massive voter fraud.

The junta says the current month-long vote – which has its final phase scheduled for January 25 – will return power to the people.

With Aung San Suu Kyi still held in seclusion and her hugely popular party dissolved, democracy advocates say the vote has been rigged by a crackdown on dissent and a ballot stacked with military allies.

A Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) official, speaking anonymously because they were unauthorised to share results, said they “won in Kawhmu” – Aung San Suu Kyi’s former seat in Yangon.