Myanmar is holding its first election since the military coup nearly five years ago. The ruling junta backed the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). But the vote is widely called a sham. The main party, the National League for Democracy, was dissolved, and its leader Aung San Suu Kyi is imprisoned. Voting is happening in three stages over a month but is absent in many war-affected areas. Fear and military presence stop free speech. Locals avoid talking about the election, fearing trouble. A woman called the election "a lie" and said, "Everyone is afraid. Everyone has lost their humanity and their freedom." New laws punish those calling for election boycotts or protest. The military leader Min Aung Hlaing hopes the election will bring him legitimacy after five years of chaos and war. He has China’s support and is reclaiming control of areas lost to rebel groups. The USDP is sure to win, unlike in 2020 when it had only six percent of seats. The civil war continues, and many areas are unsafe for voting. Local police say there is no peace and no compromise. Civilians suffer, and the military blames resistance fighters as "terrorists." Turnout is expected to be low, but many will vote out of fear or exhaustion. As one woman said, "We will vote, but not with our hearts."