Democracy watchdogs say the junta-run vote is a charade to rebrand the rule of the military. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The vote in Myanmar, widely seen as a sham, is a bid for legitimacy by the military government. It is also a way for Beijing to exert its influence there.

Myanmar's military government has charged over 200 people with violating the country's strict election law ahead of a general election at the end of this month.

Myanmar, also known as Burma, will hold a phased general election starting later this month. It comes amidst a years long civil war that has killed thousands and displaced millions. And it is being called by a military government that seized power in a coup four years ago.

As Myanmar approaches elections scheduled for 28 December, the UN’s top human rights official has said that civilians are being coerced from all sides – forced by the military to vote and threatened by armed opposition groups to boycott – in a climate of fear,

Myanmar's junta announced on Thursday that the third and final round of its tightly controlled elections will take place on January 25, just days

Myanmar’s military government has charged more than 200 people with violating the Southeast Asian country’s voting law ahead of a general election at the end of the month, keeping up pressure on opponents of the polls.

Many of the displaced have sought refuge in other parts of the state. Iang is among a group that crossed the border into India's Mizoram state. Currently sheltered in a rundown badminton court in Vaphai village, the group's few belongings they were able to carry are packed in plastic sacks. Indian villagers have given them food and basic supplies.