Chairman U Thein Soe of the Union Election Commission (UEC) led a delegation to Rus­sia from 6 to 12 September, at the invitation of the Chairman of the Russian Central Elec­tion Commission. Upon their return to Yangon yesterday, they were welcomed at Yan­gon International Airport by Attorney-General U Htay Aung and officials from the Union Election Commission and the Yangon Region Election Com­mission branch office.

During the trip, on 7 Sep­tember, the UEC delegation signed a memorandum of un­derstanding for cooperation in election activities with the Rus­sian Central Election Commis­sion in Moscow. Subsequent days included discussions on operational methods, a visit to the Central Election Com­mission’s information centre, and a tour of Moscow and its surrounding regions to study local election processes.

The discussions during the visit encompassed various topics, including strengthen­ing relations with Russia, voter education, effective media uti­lization, transparent election processes, and the exchange of expertise between the two countries through the signed memorandum of understand­ing. The delegation also ex­plored Russia’s election meth­ods, conditions for conducting elections, campaign proce­dures, and cultural aspects.

Chairman Ella Pamfilova of the Russian Central Election Commission extended an invi­tation to Chairman U Thein Soe to observe the Russian presi­dential election scheduled for March 2024. — MNA/TS