ASEAN will not recognize Myanmar election, Malaysia reiterates

Just days before the final phase of Myanmar’s election, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan told parliament on Tuesday that ASEAN will neither send observers nor endorse the results. The junta held the first of three votes across the country in December, even as the United Nations, Western countries, and international human rights groups condemned the poll as a ploy to legitimize military rule. Voter turnout was low in the first two phases held on Dec. 28 and Jan. 11, with the junta’s proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) declaring landslide victories. The final phase will be held in 63 townships on Jan. 25. Regime allies including China, Russia and Kazakhstan sent delegations to observe the polls.