Yangon, Jan 25 (V7N) — Myanmar’s month-long election began on Sunday, with the military’s strongest political party, the USDP, poised for a landslide victory, according to early reports. Critics, however, warn that the junta-led vote will only extend the military’s hold on power.

Voting started in the third and final phase, just a week ahead of the fifth anniversary of the 2021 military coup that ousted pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Rebel-held areas remain excluded from voting, limiting participation.

The military has framed the election as a return of power to the people, but human rights monitors report widespread violence and suppression of dissent in the lead-up.

Official results are expected later this week, though the USDP could declare victory as early as Monday. In the 2020 election, the party was heavily defeated by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) before the military takeover on February 1, 2021, which was justified by claims of voter fraud.

The election marks another chapter in Myanmar’s long struggle with military rule and civil conflict, which has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis across the country.

END/SMA/AJ