2015 vote will be fair and transparent: president

“Myanmar is committed to ensuring transparency and recognition by international organisations in the upcoming 2015 elections,” said President Thein Sein at a meeting with political parties in Yangon.

Sixty-three parties presented reports on constitutional reform, the peace process, and the requirements of small parties during brief exchanges with the president at the Mingalar Hall of Yangon’s Regional Government.

Union Election Commission (UEC) chairman Tin Aye reiterated the president’s message that the 2015 elections will be free and transparent, emphasising the importance of upcoming by-elections this year.

Only when the country sees peace and stability will the people be able to benefit from the government’s socio-economic development tasks, added Thein Sein.

Parties had to draw lots for the chance to speak to the president because of time restrictions. Others were asked to send their requests by letter and met with ministers from the president’s office later.

Some of the smaller parties which managed to get an audience included the Kayan National Party, the Chin Progressive Party, 88 Generation Student Youths, the Union Pa-O National Organisation, the National Democratic Force, the Chin National Democratic Party, the All Mon Regions Democracy Party and the Zomi League for Democracy.

In his meeting with ethnic parties, the president said that efforts are underway to hold political dialogue with all ethnic groups to enable the emergence of a federal union only after a nationwide ceasefire has been signed.

“Doors are kept open for discussions except matters related to secession from the union and the issue related to encroachment on sovereignty,” said the president.

“The nationwide ceasefire is aimed not only at reaching a durable stage but also at paving the way for holding a political dialogue. The signatories must prove a clear determination in order not to take a U-turn,” added the president.