Digital Desk, New Delhi. Voting began on Sunday for the second phase of Myanmar's first general elections since the military government came to power five years ago. Voting has been expanded to additional towns, including some areas affected by fighting between the military government and its armed opponents.
Polling stations opened at 6 a.m. local time in 100 towns across the country, including parts of Sagaing, Magway, Mandalay, Bago and Tanintharyi regions as well as Mon, Shan, Kachin, Kayah and Kayin states. There have been clashes in several areas in recent months.
Elections are being conducted in three phases
Due to armed conflicts the elections are being held in three phases. The first phase took place on December 28 in 102 out of 330 towns in the country. The final round is scheduled for January 25, although 65 towns will not participate in the voting because of the fighting.
Elections are to be held on 664 seats
Myanmar has a bicameral national legislature, which has 664 seats. The party that wins the majority in Parliament elects the new President, who can form a cabinet and form a new government. According to the Constitution, the military automatically gets 25 percent of the seats in each House.
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