Military-backed party in Myanmar takes lead in first phase of polls

Myanmar’s military-proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) is leading after the first phase of a contentious general election, regime media reported, following the first round of voting since a 2021 military coup ousted a democratically-elected government.

Having sparked a nationwide rebellion after crushing pro-democracy protests in the wake of its coup, the regime in Naypyidaw, which seized power from an elected government in 2021, has said the three-phase vote would bring political stability to the impoverished Southeast Asian nation.

Partial results from Myanmar’s first election since 2020, released by the Union Election Commission (UEC) for 56 constituencies, showed the military-proxy party winning by a wide margin as expected, despite thin turnout.

Preliminary results published on Friday show the USDP, led by retired military generals, winning 38 of 40 seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw, or lower house of parliament, whose outcomes have been tallied.

The Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), also known as the White Tiger Party, and the Mon Unity Party (MUP) got one seat each.