Second phase of polls to begin 'on Jan 11'

Myanmar's military government will hold the second phase of its multistage election on Jan 11, state media said yesterday, a vote dismissed as a sham by Western countries, the United Nations and human rights groups.

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Myanmar's retired General Tin Aung San, left, attends a campaign kick-off event in Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday. AFP

(AFP)

Myanmar has been in political turmoil since the military seized power in a 2021 coup, ousting a civilian government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and sparking a nationwide armed resistance.

Dozens of pro-democracy parties have either been banned or are refusing to take part in the elections, which junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has admitted will not be held nationwide.

The second phase will be held two weeks after the first phase on Dec 28, and cover 100 townships nationwide, including several in Yangon, Myanmar's commercial capital and largest city.