00:00Myanmar's pro-military party, known as the Union Solidarity and Development Party,
00:06has declared victory in elections following a month-long voting process.
00:11The third and final phase of polls took place on Sunday,
00:15with official results expected later this week.
00:19While the military says the election will return power to the people,
00:23watchdog groups have dismissed it as a rebranding of army rule.
00:27Voting has not been held in large parts of the country,
00:31controlled by rebel groups fighting in the civil war triggered by the 2021 coup,
00:36a key reason critics question the post-legitimacy.
00:40In areas under junta control, dissent has been systematically crushed,
00:44with new laws punishing protests or criticism of the election with up to 10 years in prison.
00:50The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reports that more than 22,000 people
00:56are currently being held in junta jails.
00:59Meanwhile, junta chief Minol Klang has declined to rule out serving as president of the new government.
01:05The post will be decided by a parliamentary majority after lawmakers convene in March.
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