15 h. ago Polls close in first phase of Myanmar elections widely condemned as a sham

Turnout appears to be low in vote in which most candidates seen as allies of military junta and large areas excluded by warPolls have closed in conflict-racked Myanmar, ending the first phase of an election that has been widely condemned as a sham designed to legitimise the military junta’s rule.The military has touted the vote as a return to democracy almost five years after it seized power in a coup, ousting the country’s then de-facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, detaining her and sparking a spiralling civil war. Continue reading...

Politics

28 h. ago Myanmar elections: voting begins under junta stranglehold with Aung San Suu Kyi banned

War with opposition groups means large areas are excluded from poll, while recent law prohibits criticising a process regarded internationally as a shamPolling stations have opened in some areas of conflict-racked Myanmar for an election that has been widely condemned as a sham designed to legitimise the military junta’s rule.The most popular party is banned from running in the election, and large areas of the country will be completely excluded because they are under the control of anti-junta groups or racked by fierce fighting. Continue reading...

Politics

37 h. ago Myanmar votes in sham election under atmosphere of fear and coercion: ‘What will change? Nothing’

With only parties vetted by the military allowed to contest Myanmar’s first election in five years, Sara Perria speaks to people in Yangon and Mandalay who are heading out to vote because they are being forced – not out of any hope for a better future

Politics

37 h. ago Yvette Cooper leads push to free Aung San Suu Kyi as Myanmar elections begin

The UN has warned the military-controlled election is unfolding amid violence, intimidation and arrests. The country’s former leader has not been heard from in two years

Politics

46 h. ago GLIMPSES: Prepping polling machines ahead of Myanmar's weekend election

Before the polls comes the preparation

Politics

3 d. ago Myanmar will hold its first general election in 5 years as criticism of the military rule mounts

Myanmar will hold the first phase of a general election on Sunday, its first vote in five years and an election framed by the ruling military as a return to multi-party democracy

Events

1 week ago Myanmar's military government charge hundreds with breaking election law as voting date nears

Myanmar's military government has charged over 200 people with violating the country's strict election law ahead of a general election at the end of this month

Politics

1 week ago Aung San Suu Kyi’s son calls on Myanmar junta to provide proof she is alive and well

Aung San Suu Kyi’s son challenged Myanmar’s junta to provide proof of his mother’s wellbeing after the military claimed the imprisoned former leader was in good health despite not being seen or heard from in over two years.

Politics

1 week ago Aung San Suu Kyi’s son says jailed Myanmar leader not seen for years and ‘could be dead already’

Kim Aris says no one has heard from his 80-year-old mother, who has been suffering an array of health issues in her old age, in two years

Events

2 w. ago Critics of army rule in Myanmar stage a silent strike against upcoming election

Opponents of military rule in Myanmar have staged a joint protest calling on people to stay indoors to show they are boycotting elections scheduled for late this month

Politics

2 w. ago Myanmar military air strike on a tea shop kills 18 watching a football match on TV

An air strike by Myanmar’s military on a tea shop in Sagaing region has killed at least 18 civilians and wounded 20 others

Events

3 w. ago Resistance forces in Myanmar detain a candidate in this month's election, state media report

A resistance group in Myanmar has reportedly detained a candidate for the election scheduled for later this month

Politics