Myanmar final voting round closes amid claims it is a sham

Polls have closed after a third and final stage of voting in Myanmar, a process many critics describe as a sham; parliament is due to meet within two months to choose a president under the military-drafted constitution.

Polls have closed after a third and final stage of voting in Myanmar. Many popular parties were barred from standing and voting did not take place across large areas because of ongoing conflict. The military-backed party is widely expected to win, and the regime has rejected international criticism by describing the process as free and fair. After results are declared, the military-drafted constitution requires parliament to meet to choose a new president. Key facts: - Voting concluded in a three-stage process that included about one-fifth of the country's townships in the last stage. - Many opposition parties are banned and large areas were unable to hold voting because of conflict and insecurity. - The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party is widely expected to secure a large share of seats; the regime has rejected outside criticism. - Under the constitution, parliament will meet within the next two months to select a president, and the coup leader Gen Min Aung Hlaing is widely expected to be chosen. Summary: The result is likely to leave the same ruling group in place under civilian forms, while political space and voting access remain limited in many areas. Parliament is scheduled to convene within two months to select a president as laid out in the military-drafted constitution.