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Myanmar’s election campaign starts, with Aung San Suu Kyi urging landslide victory
- The National League for Democracy (NLD) swept to power in 2015 but the military controls three key ministries and 25 per cent of parliamentary seats
- Surging coronavirus cases and the disenfranchisement of refugees and Rohingya Muslims raise doubts about the election’s credibility
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Myanmar’s election campaign began on Tuesday with Aung San Suu Kyi’s party tipped for victory. The Nobel laureate is much loved at home despite her reputation being shattered overseas, although she is appealing for a landslide victory to counter the still mighty military.
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Her National League for Democracy (NLD) party swept to power in 2015 in the first national polls since the Southeast Asian nation emerged from decades of junta rule.
This time the coronavirus pandemic threatens to derail the vote, but that is doing little to deter NLD supporters.
A tide of red NLD paraphernalia is rising with printing shops in overdrive to produce stickers, T-shirts and the 2020 face mask accessory.
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“I support the NLD because I love Mother Suu,” declared Zaw Min, 43, whose Yangon trishaw stood festooned with the party’s flags, matching his red T-shirt, baseball cap and mask.
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