Myanmar heads to the polls for the first time in five years
Stockholm, December 28 (Hibya) – An election widely described as a major sham is being held in Myanmar, where major political parties have been dissolved, most of their leaders jailed, and half the country is not expected to vote due to the ongoing civil war.
The military government is staging a phased election about five years after seizing power in a coup that triggered widespread opposition and descended into a civil war.
Observers say that with China’s backing, the junta is trying to legitimize and entrench its rule while searching for a way out of the devastating stalemate.
Under a new law, more than 200 people have been prosecuted for disrupting or opposing the elections; the law предусматривает severe penalties, including the death penalty.
The region’s chief minister told the BBC that three people were taken to hospital after a rocket attack hit a deserted house in the Mandalay region early on Sunday morning. One of them is in critical condition.
More than ten homes were also damaged after a series of explosions late on Saturday night in the town of Myawaddy near the Thai border.
A local resident told the BBC that a child was killed in the attack and three people were rushed to hospital.
Voters told the BBC that the elections were more “disciplined and systematic” than previous polls.
Usa News Agency
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