24 Aug
A coordination meeting between Union Election Commission (UEC) and political parties for a successful holding of the 2020 General Election was held at the UEC Office in Nay Pyi Taw. The meeting was attended by UEC Chairman U Hla Thein, commission members, officials from commission office and officials from 80 political parties.
At the meeting UEC Chairman said the meeting was held for the commission to successfully hold the 2020 General Election. There’ll be elections in countries where democracy was practiced and the elections need to be trustworthy and acceptable to all. The 2020 General Election will be held in an impartial and exemplary election under the five norms of free, fair, transparent, credible election that reflect the will of the people. Local and foreign election observers will be invited to ensure transparency. Both the UEC and political parties are responsible to hold a successful election.
Problems can be reduced if the political parties follow the laws and rules during the campaigning period. At the moment the commission, Ministry of Office of the Union Government and Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population were cooperating and drawing up a program to collect the population of the whole country and to prepare a basic voters’ list. The program includes the four parts of collecting and reviewing basic population data; preparing basic voters’ list; preparing, amending and maintaining a monthly list on changing population and basic voters’ list; and announcing the basic voters’ list. Collection and preparation of basic population data will be conducted mainly by General Administration Department and verification will be conducted by Immigration and Population Department. Relevant election sub-commission will prepare the basic voters’ list. Household wise voters’ list will be prepared and announced. When the announcement was made people are to check the list and conduct amendments, objections and demands in the prescribed forms. A complete and accurate voters’ list will be obtained only with the cooperation and participation of the people. As only the people in the voters’ list are allowed to vote political parties were to encourage and support their supporters towards having a complete and accurate voters’ list so that the voting rights were not forfeited.
In submitting their candidates list, political parties are to consider implementing gender equality and raising the role of women. The commission was striving and placing much emphasis towards raising the role of women in politics and in the election process. People’s use of social media was rising and as attacks using hate speeches and spreading of false news could have adverse effect on the election, political parties were urged to control and prevent it said the UEC Chairman. Next UEC Director-General explained about arrangements made for the 2020 General Election. Suggestions and questions raised by officials of political parties were answered and explained by UEC Chairman and commission member. The meeting came to close after UEC Chairman delivered a closing remark.—MNA (Translated by Zaw Min)
