The second phase of Myanmar's general election is set to begin on Sunday.

Naypyidaw

The town of Papun in eastern Myanmar, designated as a voting site for the upcoming general election, is deserted following intense conflict and widespread destruction. The entire civilian population has fled, and only military personnel at an isolated command center are expected to cast ballots, with access to the area heavily restricted.

Ethnic Karen and pro-democracy fighters, who control areas surrounding Papun, have vowed to prevent elections in their territories, denouncing the process as illegitimate. Ongoing violence and mistrust between opposing forces have left remaining civilians without access to medical care, highlighting the severe humanitarian impact of the conflict.

Contested regions of Myanmar are unsafe for voters

The town of Papun in eastern Myanmar. This is one of the places that the military says will be voting in Sunday's general election. Yet the entire population has fled and the destruction is widespread. This is the police station in Papun. There's a sign outside saying, may I help you? But there's no one inside. The police and the military are long gone, leaving the base heavily mined like the rest of this town. Everything is completely deserted. A fierce battle for control of the town in 2024 forced the residents to flee, never to return. The combined forces of ethnic Karen and pro-democracy fighters stay outside because of frequent airstrikes. Their commander is now planning a final push against the remaining battalion of government troops, and he's committed to ensuring no election takes place in the area under his control. This election is a sham that disregards and ignores the people's will. It's an unlawful election and not a political solution to our country's tragedy. I hope the international community understands this clearly and we wish our voices to be heard. Some voting will happen, here, at the isolated tactical command centre in Papun. About 800 soldiers will cast their ballots, but no one from outside can get in. In recent weeks fighting has intensified. Neither side trusts the other, and offers of an amnesty from the junta have been widely ignored. There have been many cases where the forces raise white flags to lure us and then ambush our troops. Their words and actions are always wrong. They never do the right thing. Caught in the crossfire, the few civilians who remain. This elderly man has a severe head wound caused by a suicide drone. No one left to treat his life-threatening injuries. The closest hospital is in Thailand. Tony Chang, Al Jazeera, Kayin State, Myanmar.

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Tehran

Iran's army threatens to join crackdown against protesters

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Nuuk

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Philadelphia

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Cebu City

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Minneapolis

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

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Portland

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Odesa

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Caracas

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Breakdown