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Myanmar to vote in first contested election in 25 years Myanmar votes in first contested election in 25 years
(about 2 hours later)
Voters in Myanmar are due to cast their ballots in a general election - the first openly contested poll in 25 years after decades of military rule. Polls have opened in Myanmar's general election - the first openly contested poll in 25 years after decades of military rule.
The ruling Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP), backed by the military, is one of the frontrunners.The ruling Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP), backed by the military, is one of the frontrunners.
Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) is expected to make big gains, though she is barred from the presidency.Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) is expected to make big gains, though she is barred from the presidency.
The current president said the authorities would respect poll results.The current president said the authorities would respect poll results.
"I will accept the new government formed, based on the election result," President Thein Sein said on Friday."I will accept the new government formed, based on the election result," President Thein Sein said on Friday.
'Above president''Above president'
About 30 million people are eligible to vote in the election in Myanmar (also known as Burma) when polls open at 06:00 local time (23:30 GMT Saturday). About 30 million people are eligible to vote in the election in Myanmar (also known as Burma).
More than 6,000 candidates from over 90 parties are vying to be elected to the 664-seat parliament in the first national elections since a nominally civilian government took power in 2011.More than 6,000 candidates from over 90 parties are vying to be elected to the 664-seat parliament in the first national elections since a nominally civilian government took power in 2011.
However, 25% of seats are reserved for unelected military representatives, who are expected to side with the USDP.However, 25% of seats are reserved for unelected military representatives, who are expected to side with the USDP.
Former Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ms Suu Kyi is barred from the presidency, because of the constitution which disqualifies anyone with foreign offspring.Former Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ms Suu Kyi is barred from the presidency, because of the constitution which disqualifies anyone with foreign offspring.
On Thursday, she said she would be "above the president" if her party won. The NLD must take 67% of all contested seats in order to gain a majority.On Thursday, she said she would be "above the president" if her party won. The NLD must take 67% of all contested seats in order to gain a majority.
Hundreds of thousands of people - including minority Rohingya Muslims - have been denied voting rights, raising concerns about the fairness of the poll.Hundreds of thousands of people - including minority Rohingya Muslims - have been denied voting rights, raising concerns about the fairness of the poll.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Yangon says there are no reliable opinion polls in the country, so no-one really knows how the vote is going to play out.The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Yangon says there are no reliable opinion polls in the country, so no-one really knows how the vote is going to play out.
Ahead of the vote, security has been stepped up across the country, with some 40,000 police guarding polling stations.Ahead of the vote, security has been stepped up across the country, with some 40,000 police guarding polling stations.
More on Myanmar's historic electionMore on Myanmar's historic election
Decision-making in the Delta: the BBC's Jonathan Head in the small but crucial town of HinthadaDecision-making in the Delta: the BBC's Jonathan Head in the small but crucial town of Hinthada
Elections explained: Why does this vote matter?Elections explained: Why does this vote matter?
'Abandoned people': What rights do the Rohingya Muslims have?'Abandoned people': What rights do the Rohingya Muslims have?
Myanmar vote causes business uncertaintyMyanmar vote causes business uncertainty
Ruled by the junta for nearly half a century, Myanmar has seen economic and political reform in recent years.Ruled by the junta for nearly half a century, Myanmar has seen economic and political reform in recent years.
Ms Suu Kyi has already raised concerns about poll fraud and voting irregularities. In the 1990 election, the NLD won a majority, but the results were largely ignored by the generals.Ms Suu Kyi has already raised concerns about poll fraud and voting irregularities. In the 1990 election, the NLD won a majority, but the results were largely ignored by the generals.
For its part, the government has warned that rapid change could lead to civil unrest.For its part, the government has warned that rapid change could lead to civil unrest.