International Election Observers Welcomed, Briefed on Phase III General Election

 

A welcome ceremony and election briefing were held yesterday morning at the Park Royal Hotel in Yangon for international election observers visiting Myanmar to observe Phase III of the multiparty democratic general election, which will be held on 25 January (today).

The ceremony was attended by Union Election Commission (UEC) Chairman U Than Soe, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, members of the Union Election Commission, the Yangon Region Minister for Natural Resources, and international election observation teams, including delegations from the Republic of Belarus, the Election Commission of Cambodia, the Election Commission of Nepal, the Election Commission of Indonesia, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Nicaragua, India, and the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

Also, present were the Chairman and officials of the Yangon Region Election Subcommission, officials from the Union Election Commission Office, departmental officials, and invitees.

The UEC Chairman first stated that there are a total of 24.22 million eligible voters and that six political parties are competing nationwide, while 51 parties are competing at the regional or state level, making a total of 57 parties in the general election held on 28 December 2025. Elections were conducted in 263 out of 330 townships, with by-elections to be held in the remaining townships. The Commission allowed 60 days for election campaigning, and during Phases II and III, political parties and Hluttaw candidates conducted their campaigns in accordance with the law and regulations, enabling the elections to be held peacefully without major conflicts or disputes.

He also explained the use of the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system for the Pyithu Hluttaw and the Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system for the Amyotha and Regional or State Hluttaws, the smooth and transparent conduct of voting at polling stations using Myanmar Electronic Voting Machines (MEVMs), the successful completion of the elections, the viewing and amendment of voter lists in accordance with the law through transparent cooperation with relevant departments and political parties, the implementation of advance voting procedures in line with legal rules and regulations to safeguard voting rights, and visits by international election observers, embassy representatives, and international and local media to observe polling, collect information, and monitor election results and improvement measures.

Following the briefing, officials from the Union Election Commission demonstrated the use of the Myanmar Electronic Voting Machine (MEVM). Members of the international election observation teams asked questions and held discussions regarding the voting machines, which were answered by Commission officials before the ceremony concluded.

Later, the Chairman, along with members of the Union Election Commission, the Chairman and officials of the Yangon Region Election Subcommission, toured polling stations in Dagon, Sangyoung, Lanmadaw, Thakayta, Tamway, and Yankin townships. They instructed officials to conduct ward and village-tract advance voting systematically in accordance with the law and procedures, and emphasized that polling stations must be set up to enable voters to cast their votes conveniently and efficiently, ensuring free and fair elections.

In the evening, the international election observers visited the Shwedagon Pagoda, the National Museum, and Bogyoke Market.

MNA/MKKS

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