The Union Election Commission (UEC) and political parties held talks at Melia Hotel in Yangon yesterday morning on the successful holding of the coming 2020 General Election.

During the talks, Chairman of UEC U Hla Thein said the election for the third term of the Hluttaw will be held in the late 2020. Myanmar is now making all-inclusive efforts against Covid-19, which is a global pandemic. The designation and announcement of the date for 2020 General Election may depend on the degree of success in preventing and containing Covid-19. In accordance with the parliamentary procedure, the election date will be fixed and announced after Hluttaw-wise constituencies have been issued. The number of political parties listed for the coming general elections till now is 97. The UEC is arranging a series of meetings with political parties in all seriousness. The UEC is holding meetings with the participation of political parties, social organizations and its officials at regions and states for the parties to present their aspirations one after another in time, instead of forwarding them all at the time when they meet the UEC. While the UEC is in the process of meeting will political parties, a group formed with 30 of them asked 12 questions. As the 12 questions are concerned with all the legal parties, and not only those 30, they will be explained here.

The UEC in office has held the elections, better than the former ones. It has already made public that the coming general elections with be held under five norms. It is working with the aim of improving the elections, and promised a fair election that ensures equal opportunities for all parties under the laws and rules in force, the UEC chair said, and requested the parties to try to win seats in the elections as the ones that can be put to test. UEC will hold a free and fair elections in 2020 that is transparent and that meets the aspirations of the public desire, he assured.

The UEC chair and members gave answers and clarifications in response to the suggestions and questions raised by the political parties. The UEC chair gave the concluding remarks.

Officials of Commission Office and Yangon Region election sub-commission and 81 political parties and guests were also present.—MNA

(Translated by TMT)