Myanmar is set to hold its first election in nearly five years under military rule on Sunday, but the vote is being widely criticised as a sham amid fear, intimidation and ongoing civil war.

The election comes after the military seized power in a 2021 coup, dissolving the National League for Democracy and imprisoning its leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Voting will be held in phases over a month, but large parts of the country will not take part due to fighting.

In Mandalay, campaigning by the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party drew small, unenthusiastic crowds. Many people attended rallies hoping for aid rather than political change, while others avoided speaking to journalists out of fear of repercussions.

Authorities have imposed strict laws criminalising criticism of the election, including calls for boycotts. Several activists have already been arrested or given long prison sentences for opposing the vote or sharing protest materials.

Residents say fear dominates daily life, with military intelligence officers visibly present at public events. Many voters said they would cast ballots only to avoid trouble, not out of genuine support for the process.

Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has promoted the election as a step toward legitimacy, despite continued violence and air strikes. The military has regained some territory with support from China and Russia, while China has also backed the election process diplomatically.

Casualties from the conflict continue to rise, with tens of thousands killed and hundreds of thousands displaced since the coup. Voting will not take place in many conflict-hit areas, further limiting participation.

Despite public disillusionment, many citizens say they will still go to polling stations out of fear or exhaustion from years of violence.

“We will vote,” one woman said, “but not with our hearts.”

With inputs from BBC