Myanmar's junta began using a new national flag Thursday as it gears up for a rare election next month that critics say is a charade aimed at putting a civilian facade on military rule. The new flag, featuring a large white star on a background of yellow, green and red horizontal stripes, was hoisted in front of City Hall in the main city Yangon, in a ceremony due to have been held around the country.
The timing of the flag's introduction - which was announced shortly beforehand on state television - was unexpected. According to the authorities, the colours symbolise peace, tranquility, solidarity, harmony, love and unity. The flag was enshrined in a new constitution adopted in 2008 after a widely criticised referendum held days after a cyclone laid waste to vast swathes of the country and left 138,000 people dead or missing.
The old flag, introduced in 1974, is red and blue with 14 white stars circling a cog wheel and rice ears in the top left corner. The November 7 election - the first in 20 years - has been widely criticised by Western governments who say the vote cannot be democratic without the participation of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.