Military-backed party leads in Myanmar's first election since coup

State-run election authorities reported early returns showing the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party leading the first phase of Myanmar's three-part vote, and the junta said turnout was about 52%; two further rounds are scheduled for Jan. 11 and Jan. 25.

State-released results from the first phase of Myanmar's three-part election show the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party leading early returns. The vote is the first national election since the 2021 coup that brought the junta to power. The junta reported turnout of about 52% for the first phase. Key details: - The Union Election Commission published partial results from the first phase, with the USDP winning the majority of declared seats in those constituencies. - The junta said about 52% of eligible voters took part in the first phase; prior general elections recorded higher turnout, according to an outside election monitor. - Two additional voting rounds are scheduled for 11 January and 25 January; some townships are not participating in this cycle. - Leading opponents are not in the race: Aung San Suu Kyi remains in detention and the National League for Democracy has been dissolved. Summary: The announced early results indicate the military-backed party leading the first phase while major opposition figures and parties remain sidelined. Further voting on 11 January and 25 January will add more declared seats, and a final national result date has not been set.