Yangon, Myanmar (CNN) -- The mood in some parts of Myanmar seemed tense yet calm Saturday, one day before the nation holds it's first election in 20 years -- an electoral contest critics say is aimed at creating a facade of democracy.
Riot police could be seen on some streets in the city of Yangon, the former national capital that is also known as Rangoon.
In the countryside, teams of election workers for the Union for Solidarity and Development were campaigning. The party is supported by the governing junta of mostly of ex-military members.
"These are our candidates for this region," a USD election worker told one resident. "It is not important to put down the name of the party, but the people have to know our symbol and make their mark right here".
Because many citizens in rural areas know so little about the political process, the election workers said they also had to show people how to vote.
"I am not just campaigning for our party," the election worker said. "I am educating the people on how to vote. Many people don't know how to vote".
Their word is very influential -- especially in rural areas, where most people in the nation live.
"I don't know anything about the election," one woman said. "If someone tells me what to vote, I will follow that guideline".
CNN
