BBC News South East Asia Correspondent Jonathan Head visited a polling station in Myanmar as the country grapples with an ongoing civil war. The visit occurred amidst preparations for elections planned by the military junta, which seized power in a coup in February 2021.

The planned elections have been widely criticized by international observers and pro-democracy groups within Myanmar, who argue that conditions are not conducive to a free and fair vote. The civil war, pitting the military against various ethnic armed organizations and newly formed People's Defence Forces, has created widespread instability and displacement. Many areas are inaccessible to independent observers, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the electoral process.

Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, has a complex political history marked by decades of military rule and ethnic conflict. A brief period of democratic transition, which began in 2011, was abruptly halted by the 2021 coup. The coup triggered widespread protests and a subsequent crackdown by the military, leading to the formation of armed resistance groups.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has attempted to mediate the crisis in Myanmar, but with limited success. A five-point consensus agreed upon by ASEAN leaders and Myanmar's junta has yet to be implemented. The international community remains divided on how to address the situation, with some countries imposing sanctions on the military regime while others advocate for dialogue and engagement.

The United Nations has repeatedly called for an end to the violence and the release of political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, the democratically elected leader who was ousted in the coup. The UN Special Envoy on Myanmar has warned of the risk of a further escalation of the conflict and a deepening humanitarian crisis. As the planned elections approach, the situation in Myanmar remains volatile, with little prospect of a peaceful resolution in the near future.