Myanmar to welcome unlimited number of int'l observers

Tin Aye, chairman of UEC, said at a press conference that UEC welcomed all international observers to ensure it is conducting a free and fair election.

“We do not have any limit on the number of international observers…But the places where they can go will largely depend on the guarantee of the security forces. Although UEC allows them to go anywhere, we always remind them they should visit only places guaranteed of safety to ensure they are 100 per cent safe,” Tin Aye said.

The November 8 election is considered a milestone in Myanmar’s political scene, following decades of military ruling. Local and international communities have been all eyes to the event. So far, UEC has signed the memorandum of understanding with European Union and the US’s Carter Foundation, and Bangkok-based Asean Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) for the election monitoring process. The commission will also sign a similar MoU with the Netherland’s Gender Concerns International within a few weeks.

“We have received the names of 10 observers from the Carter Centre. The EU will send a big team. I understand all the organisations will dispatch their observers here about one month before the election,” said Tin Aye.