The Union Election Commission held a coordination meeting with its region and state sub-commissions yesterday at its office in Nay Pyi Taw in preparation for the 2020 General Election.

In his opening address, UEC chairman U Hla Thein said the commission is making preparations to ensure the 2020 General Election meet five standards: they are free, fair, transparent, reliable, and harmonious with the people’s desire.

“The commission is making efforts to ensure eligible citizens do not lose their votes. It has also compiled a electoral role nationwide. It will continue to scrutinize the list. It will work in cooperation with political parties and civil society organizations when the comprehensive electoral role is announced,” he said.

He said that the UEC will announce the Hluttaw constituencies prior to the 2020 General Election. “The UEC is making a list of people from nationalities whose population is above 0.1 per cent of the national population. It will amend and publish election-related laws, acts, rules and regulations, in accordance with the current circumstances. It will also amend the Code of Conduct (CoC), ratified since 2015, for election candidates. It will set up a coordinating committee and a security management committee for a tranquil and peaceful general election. It will also draw a directive for news media and an ethic for police force,” he added.

The Commission chairman said that the UEC is cooperating with the Information Ministry, Myanmar Press Council, and the Facebook team. “It has formed an information committee for issuing true and genuine news about the election. It is working with various organizations to put election measures in place. It is also supporting the work of state and region commissions,” said U Hla Thein.

He stressed the need to implement public and constituent awareness programmes for the 2020 General Election; disseminate election news and information speedily and effectively to the public; use the UEC Facebook page in the near future in order to avoid misinformation and disinformation; and, for persons in charge at different levels of commissions to be competent and qualified in their work, and exert their utmost efforts to make the 2020 General Election successful.

Then, the Union Election Commission Office’s director-general explained the work being carried out for the elections. Next, the Union Election Commission chairman answered questions and discussed suggestions from officials of state, region, and Union Territory election commissions.

The commission chairperson concluded the coordinating meeting and inspected a makeshift election booth.

MNA (Translated by GNLM)

Photo - MNA
Ref; The Global New Light of Myanmar