UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday expressed hope that weekend elections in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;would allow for the return of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees "in safety and dignity."

In a statement from his office, he said he also hoped that the polls would help "advance inclusive sustainable development, humanitarian action, human rights and democratic reforms."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-suu-kyi-denies-genocide-opponents-up-anti-rohingya-rhetoric-340814" hreflang="en">As Suu Kyi denies genocide, opponents up anti-Rohingya rhetoric</a>

Guterres "renews his appeal for a ceasefire across the country to allow all to focus on combatting the Covid-19 pandemic," the statement said.

The UN chief "remains concerned about armed conflict in many areas of&nbsp;Myanmar, especially the intensifying clashes in Rakhine and Chin states," he said.

Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) is widely expected to be returned to power in the November 8 polls -- only the second election since the nation emerged from outright military rule.

The Rohingya crisis,&nbsp;where hundreds of thousands of people fled across the border into squalid refugee camps to escape military-backed violence,&nbsp;might have shattered Suu Kyi's reputation in the West, but she remains a hero for many at home.

Her defense of the nation against genocide charges at the UN's top court last December consolidated support, particularly among the dominant ethnic Bamar.

Virtually all the 600,000 Rohingya Muslims remaining in the country are stripped of citizenship and will not be able to vote.

Further mass cancellations of the election in swathes of ethnic minority areas -- ostensibly for security concerns -- mean a total of nearly two million are disenfranchised in a country with an electorate of some 37 million.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday expressed hope that weekend elections in Myanmar would allow for the return of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees "in safety and dignity.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday expressed hope that weekend elections in Myanmar would allow for the return of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees "in safety and dignity." In a statement from his office, he said he also hoped that the polls would help "advance inclusive sustainable development, humanitarian action, human rights and democratic reforms." Also read: As Suu Kyi denies genocide, opponents up anti-Rohingya rhetoric Guterres "renews his appeal for a ceasefire across the country to allow all to focus on combatting the Covid-19 pandemic," the statement said. The UN chief "remains concerned about armed conflict in many areas of Myanmar, especially the intensifying clashes in Rakhine and Chin states," he said. Myanmar's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) is widely expected to be returned to power in the November 8 polls -- only the second election since the nation emerged from outright military rule. The Rohingya crisis, where hundreds of thousands of people fled across the border into squalid refugee camps to escape military-backed violence, might have shattered Suu Kyi's reputation in the West, but she remains a hero for many at home. Her defense of the nation against genocide charges at the UN's top court last December consolidated support, particularly among the dominant ethnic Bamar. Virtually all the 600,000 Rohingya Muslims remaining in the country are stripped of citizenship and will not be able to vote. Further mass cancellations of the election in swathes of ethnic minority areas -- ostensibly for security concerns -- mean a total of nearly two million are disenfranchised in a country with an electorate of some 37 million.

UN chief hopes Myanmar election will allow refugees to return in 'dignity'

Myanmar is set to hold its most crucial election in November. Aung San Suu Kyi's former ally Thet Thet Khine has emerged as a key challenger. Meanwhile, the Rohingya community in the country remains disenfranchised.

Myanmar gearing up for general election, Aung San Suu Kyi remains a front runner

Myanmar plans to push ahead with a November general election despite calls from opposition parties to postpone it because of a surge in novel coronavirus cases, officials said.

WION Dispatch: Myanmar Gears Up For General Election

The Ministry of Health and Sports has issued stay-at-home orders in all 17 townships in Rakhine State and Yangon’s Thingangyun, Insein, North Okkalapa, Thaketa, Hlaing, Pazundaung and Mingaladon townships.

Myanmar elections: Low voter turnout expected due to COVID-19 rules