India, Dec. 8 -- India on Monday called for free, fair and inclusive elections in Myanmar to ensure a transition to democracy, amid growing concerns about the transparency and effectiveness of the electoral process.

Myanmar's military junta has announced elections will be held in three phases, starting on December 28 and concluding in January. Early voting abroad began last week at a few Myanmar embassies, including in Hong Kong, Singapore, Chiang Mai and Bangkok.

However, the upcoming polls are restricted to only 274 of the country's 330 townships, reflecting the junta's lack of control over areas captured by resistance forces.

"India supports Myanmar's transition to democracy and it is of the view that participation of all political ...