Genuine multi-party democracy be implemented only if political parties are strong: UEC Chairman
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Khit / Kyaw (NP News) – Jan 15
Chairman of the Union Election Commission (UEC) U Thein Soe commented that the political parties need to be stronger; only then, could the genuine and strong multi-party democratic system be formulated.
On January 12th, he made the remarks during the meeting with the registered political parties in Yangon Region where the parties raised suggestions for holding the election successfully.
Since the upcoming election will be held in the Proportional Representation (PR) system, the UEC said that the necessary plans and arrangements are being carried out.
Therefore, the processes are underway to prepare and promulgate the relevant Hluttaw electoral laws and regulations that are in line with the system, and also to the complete accuracy of the voter lists.
“The representatives of the relevant political parties will be allowed to participate in verifying the completeness of the voting lists. To ensure that the election is free and fair, the commission will act strictly in accordance with the laws and regulations,” The UEC Chairman U Thein Soe said.
In addition, the UEC chairman urged the political parties to cooperate in order to successfully hold the multi-party democratic general election freely, fairly and transparently.
“During the meeting with the UEC Chairman, the head of the respective parties presented the reasonable proposals based on their experiences. I believe that this meeting will lead the country to the best direction for the country, and we can hold a fair, free and nationwide election. There will be areas where elections cannot be held due to certain circumstances,” an official from the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), U Hla Thein said.
According to the UEC Chairman U Thein Soe, there are currently 65 parties that applied for registration and newly established registration rights under the Political Parties Registration Law, 47 parties were granted registration, and two of these parties were dissolved; therefore, there are 45 existing political parties.