Yangon: The Myanmar military's political proxies today looked poised to claim victory in an election condemned by the West as a farce, as a deadly clash broke out between rebels and government troops.
Three civilians were killed and 11 injured after heavy weapons fire from ethnic rebels hit the town of Myawaddy in Karen State, prompting thousands to flee across the border into Thailand a day after the poll, officials said.
With democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi still locked up and opposition leaders reporting widespread complaints of intimidation and other irregularities, many world leaders rejected the legitimacy of the election.
US President Barack Obama said the vote would be 'anything but free and fair', while his Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington would maintain 'rigorous sanctions' against the regime while it holds political prisoners, abuses human rights and refuses dialogue with the opposition.
The electoral process was 'severely flawed, precluded an inclusive, level playing field, and repressed fundamental freedoms' Clinton said.
Many areas were uncontested by pro-democracy candidates because of major financial and other hurdles. But some saw the poll as a small step towards democracy after almost five decades of autocratic rule, with opposition parties confident of success in areas they did contest.
However, with 25 per cent of the seats in parliament reserved for military appointees whatever the outcome, the two main pro-junta parties needed to win just 26 per cent of the remaining seats to secure a majority.
Despite the regime's unpopularity, its political proxy, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) was expected to fare well, helped by huge financial and campaigning advantages as well as a climate of fear. In many constituencies the poll was a two-way battle between the USDP and the National Unity Party (NUP), which is the successor to late dictator Ne Win's party and also closely aligned with the military.
Although it is unclear when the results will be announced, the poll seemed to have gone largely according to the generals' plan. But the fighting in eastern Myanmar was a reminder of the simmering civil war that has wracked parts of the country since independence in 1948.
About 7,000 people fled from Myanmar into Thailand and at least one rocket-propelled grenade landed over the border, injuring several people, Thai officials said. Myanmar's state-controlled press today featured photos of junta chief Than Shwe and other top brass voting, as well as various pictures and articles about diplomats and reporters observing the polls.