Pro-military party claims majority of seats

Myanmar’s dominant pro-military party yesterday claimed a majority of elected lower house seats in the country’s junta-run polls, which democracy watchdogs say will prolong the armed forces’ grip.

The junta is overseeing a staggered election it pledges will return power to the people after the third and final phase of voting on January 25.

With Suu Kyi detained and her party dissolved, democracy advocates say it has been rigged by a dissent purge and a ballot stacked with military allies.

A USDP official  told AFP they “won 87 seats out of 100” in Sunday’s second phase of the vote.

Combined with overwhelming wins in the first phase, the official’s figures give the party 176 lower house seats so far -- just over half the 330 elected positions, even before the third phase has taken place.