**Myanmar's Junta-Backed Election: A Charade of Democracy** In a few days, Myanmar's new parliament will convene, marking the culmination of an election that was heavily manipulated by the ruling military junta. The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), a party closely aligned with the military, has secured a landslide victory, capturing a commanding majority in the parliament. While the USDP's victory gives the party the power to choose the president without the need for coalition building, the true extent of its influence lies in its relationship with the junta's leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Although Min Aung Hlaing doesn't officially lead the USDP, his associates likely hold sway over the party's decision-making process. This arrangement raises questions about the junta chief's ambitions, particularly his desire for the presidency. However, the Myanmar Constitution prohibits the commander-in-chief and the two parliamentary speakers from holding the same office. This means that Min Aung Hlaing may not be able to achieve his presidency goal directly. Instead, he will likely engage in behind-the-scenes negotiations with USDP leaders to secure key appointments. Myanmar's election, which the junta tightly controlled, has been marred by controversy. The USDP's impressive victory, which captured over 80 per cent of elected seats, hides an uncomfortable truth - the party secured only about 44 per cent of the total vote. This discrepancy is a result of the country's winner-takes-all electoral system, which can skew results in favor of the ruling party. As the new parliament convenes, analysts will be watching for any signs of tension between the USDP leaders and the junta chief. These tensions, however, are not a sign of emerging democracy, but rather a reflection of the power struggles within the ruling clique. The real question is whether the USDP's victory will translate into genuine representation for the people of Myanmar, or if it will merely serve to entrench the junta's hold on power.