Voters cast ballots at a polling station in Yangon Region, Myanmar, on Sunday, as voting proceeded toward its scheduled close at 4 pm. MIAO JUESUO/XINHUA

Voters across Myanmar went to the polls on Sunday for the second phase of the country's multiparty general election, with polling stations opening in 100 townships nationwide.

Min Aung Hlaing, acting president and chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, said on Friday that citizens who wish to see Myanmar continue on a democratic path should take part in the vote, state media The Global New Light of Myanmar reported.

The Union Election Commission said the second phase covers urban and rural constituencies across 12 of the country's 14 regions and states. The voting is part of a three-round electoral process to select members of the national and regional parliaments, following the end of a four-year state of emergency in July.

More than 24.26 million people are eligible to vote. The first phase, ending on Dec 28 in 102 townships, recorded a turnout of 52.13 percent, with preliminary results showing the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party in the lead.

The third and final phase is scheduled for Jan 25 in 63 townships.

The election commission said a total of 21,517 polling stations have been set up nationwide, with voting taking place in 692 constituencies.

About 5,000 candidates from 57 parties are competing for an estimated 950 seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (lower house), the Amyotha Hluttaw (upper house), and the state and regional parliaments. Of these, six parties are participating nationwide.

This election marks the first time Myanmar has used a digital voting system. Myanmar Electronic Voting Machines have been introduced to prevent electoral fraud.

A dual electoral method is also being adopted, with the first-past-the-post method used for the lower house, and a mixed-member proportional system for the upper house and regional parliaments to enhance transparency and broaden representation.

The election unfolds amid significant domestic challenges after the military overturned the results of the previous general election and overthrew the government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in 2021. Her National League for Democracy party was dissolved after failing to register for the current polls.

The newly formed Union Parliament will subsequently elect a president to lead the next government.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations has been closely watching Myanmar's election process. Theresa Lazaro, the Philippines' secretary of foreign affairs and special envoy of the ASEAN chair on Myanmar, visited Nay Pyi Daw on Tuesday and met senior leaders, including Min Aung Hlaing.

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs said Lazaro held a "constructive exchange of views" on geopolitical developments, Myanmar's political situation — particularly the elections — and the priorities of the Philippines' ASEAN chairmanship, as well as the implementation of the five-point consensus, the bloc's peace plan for the Myanmar crisis.

"As chair of ASEAN, the Philippines will continue to build on the efforts of previous special envoys of the ASEAN chair on Myanmar in advancing the implementation of the five-point consensus," Lazaro said.