Myanmar’s military-appointed election body has released early results from the first phase of the country’s three-part general election, showing the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) leading in most constituencies, as widely expected.

The Union Election Commission (UEC) reported that more than 6 million people, roughly 52% of the eligible voters in the first phase held on Dec. 28, cast ballots. Authorities called the turnout a major success despite opposition claims that the polls are neither free nor fair, with key parties barred and dissenters suppressed. Many opposition groups called for voter boycotts.

According to a UEC statement in the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper, the USDP has so far won 38 of the 330 seats in the lower house, Pyithu Hluttaw, with many results still pending. USDP leader Khin Yi, a former general and police chief closely allied with military ruler Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, secured a seat in the capital Naypyitaw with 49,006 votes out of 68,681. The Shan Nationalities Democratic Party and Mon Unity Party won one seat each.

A senior USDP official told AP that the party has secured 88 of the 102 contested seats in the first phase, including 29 constituencies where it faced no opposition. The party also reportedly won about 85% of contested seats in regional legislatures, though final results will only be confirmed after the second and third phases scheduled for Jan. 11 and Jan. 25. Voting will not take place in 65 townships due to ongoing armed conflicts.

Myanmar’s legislature consists of 664 seats across two houses. The party with a combined parliamentary majority can choose the president, who then appoints the Cabinet. Under the constitution, the military automatically holds 25% of seats in each house.

Military rule began in February 2021 when soldiers ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, barring her National League for Democracy from taking office despite its 2020 election victory. The NLD and 39 other parties were dissolved in 2023 after refusing to register under new military rules, sparking widespread opposition that has escalated into civil war.