"Myanmar's acting President and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Min Aung Hlaing, refused to comment on a possible presidential candidacy, emphasising that the elected parliament should decide it, as he arrived to cast his ballot in the first phase of the country's general elections in Naypyidaw on Sunday. "I cannot say what I want or what to do. I am not a leader of a political party. When the parliament is called, there is a process for the parliament to elect the president. Then they will do it. Then I would say that it is time for us to speak," Min Aung Hlaing stated. He went on to urge Myanmars to exercise their rights through joining voting: "You should vote for what you like. This is what you should vote for. If you don't vote for someone, we can assume that they don't fully understand democracy." Footage shows Min Aung Hlaing voting at a local polling station along with dozens of other voters gathered for the first time since the military coup in 2021. Early morning, just hours before the elections, explosions were reported near polling stations in Pyay Township, Bago Region, Myawaddy Township, Kayin State, and Mandalay Region. At least one person is injured. The investigation is ongoing. As the country is currently in a state of civil conflict, for security reasons, the elections run in three phases. During the first phase, polling stations were opened in 102 townships. The second and final phases are scheduled for January 11 and 25, respectively, as stations are expected to be set in 265 of the 330 townships of the country. 57 political parties would compete in the elections at the regional level, and six parties nationwide. The United Nations (UN), European Union (EU) and UK condemned the process, citing its lack of legitimacy following the 2021 military coup. Several international organisations have called for the rejection of these elections over ongoing civil conflict, human rights abuses, and the suppression of political freedoms. Meanwhile, China, Russia, India and some other countries showed support for the Myanmar elections, sending election observers to the country."