Myanmar’s first election in five years begins – but experts warn it’s a sham

Standing on a stage flanked by his People’s Party’s signature red and yellow flags, Ko Ko Gyi made his case to a crowd of some 150 supporters.

“In our country, there is a word that many people are afraid to use — the word is ‘revolution’, he said.

“Many people feel uncomfortable even saying it. But in reality, a revolution simply means making an effort to move from an old situation to a new one.”

The crowd, dressed in matching yellow shirts and hats handed out by the People’s Party, listened quietly. In a country where revolutions have claimed tens of thousands of lives, the ‘R’ word caught their attention.

But Ko Ko Gyi, 64, is not calling for a revolt on the streets. He’s calling on the people of Myanmar to revolt at the ballot box.