Myanmar ‘s Parliament is preparing to elect its first civilian President after nearly 50 years of military rule. They will choose from one of three candidates – Tin Aung Myint Oo, outgoing Prime Minister Thein Sein and ethnic Shan Sai Mauk Kham. All three are members of the military-backed USDP party which won a large majority in November’s polls.

The elections were the first to be held in the country in two decades but were widely condemned as being unfair. The appointment of a President will be the final step in Myannmar’s so-called roadmap to democracy – moving the country from military to civilian rule.

A quarter of the seats in parliament are reserved for the military. The three presidential candidates were appointed on Thursday.