“ What’s at stake in this election for the military is its credibility as the leader going forward,” Joe Freeman, Myanmar researcher for Amnesty International told the Battle Lines: Global Health Security podcast.  The purpose of the  election, he said, “is to create kind of an off-ramp from this five years of military rule and show the international community that it’s ready to lead as a responsible civilian government. Of course, that’s all a mirage.” The election, which concludes this week, is not just a veneer of democracy for Myanmar but also a bid by the Chinese to ensure one of its closest neighbours remains stable.  Myanmar shares a 1,300 mile border with China, providing an important link for Beijing to the Indian Ocean. Many note the irony of China, a one party state, supporting a supposedly multi-party election. Beijing sent election monitors and provided technological assistance and funding so that the junta can compile voter lists. “ China will do what is in its interest at the end of the day. We seem to be returning …