It would be very reassuring if the current NLD government wins...

It would be very reassuring if the current NLD government wins another term. Not a major problem if they didn't - Bawdwin is a major resource and MYL have strong, non-partisan local arrangements. But continuity is always better, in particular because progress will be more likely in the long lame-duck period if there is continuity (8 Nov election, but next govt doesn't take over until 30 March).

Luckily, there is virtually no chance of a surprise, at the ballot box or outside it. The NLD is poised for another big win, and while the military is a bit grumpy that the NLD is having such an easy time of it, the military will stick with the constitutional arrangements that they themselves designed.

Expect strong turnout on the 8th despite COVID, a good chunk of results known by the 9th that will confirm what everyone expects. Final results for more remote districts not for a few more days after that, but these won't be enough to swing the result.