When Myanmar's military seized power from the newly elected civilian government nearly five years ago, it plunged the country into a bloody civil war that left the junta an international pariah.

Now — still with no end to the conflict in sight — the generals are preparing to take Myanmar to the polls again.

Under plans announced last month, the first stage of a staggered election will begin in December.

But critics argue the process will be little more than a "sham" and are urging the international community not to recognise the results.

Elections framed as 'peace-building'

The military justified its February 2021 coup as a necessary intervention following what it said was widespread fraud in the election three months before.

It had been won decisively by Aung San Suu Kyi's now-disso

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