India, Dec. 28 -- As Myanmar stands just a few hours away from its heavily restricted polls, the junta termed the elections as a return to democracy after five years since it ousted the last elected government, that had made way to a civil war.

In junta-controlled territory, that include cities of Yangon, Mandalay and the capital Naypyidaw, the first of three rounds start at 6 am (Myanmar standard time).

The nation of around 50 million, harrowed by a civil war, will only see voting in specific territories with no elections conducted in rebel-held areas, news agency AFP reported.

Since 2021, former Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains in custody, for offences ranging from corruption to breaching Covid-19 restrictions. It was the same...