Elections to be held in 267 townships in coming December
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Phyo (NP News)
The Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced that general elections are scheduled to take place in December, with voting to be conducted in 267 out of the 330 townships across Myanmar. The decision on which townships will hold elections will be determined by the prevailing security situation at the time of the official election date announcement.
According to current UEC statistics, preparations are underway in 267 townships. Finalized details, including legal frameworks and election procedures, will be available following the enactment and publication of the relevant electoral laws and bylaws.
The upcoming election will employ a hybrid voting system combining both First Past the Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR). Voting will be conducted using Myanmar Electronic Voting Machines (MEVMs). These machines have been tested in Naypyidaw with participation from government institutions, ministries, universities, social organizations, political parties, and representatives from nine regions or states. According to the UEC, the tests showed no errors, and voters were able to verify results independently.
The MEVM is designed for security and simplicity. It contains no wireless technology such as Internet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth and lacks a conventional computer operating system. Instead, it uses a microcontroller system, making it both secure and efficient. The machines are undergoing national certification in line with the Myanmar Standards (2014) to ensure quality and compliance.
Elections will be held in phases throughout December. However, voting will not take place in areas deemed unsuitable due to geographic or security-related challenges.
Constituency boundaries for the two electoral systems will be determined in alignment with the respective Hluttaw of each region or state. Political parties will be allowed to contest in the designated constituencies, and eligible voters will cast their votes at assigned polling stations.
When asked how many townships will actually participate in the election, the UEC responded:
“Based on the prevailing security situation in the area at the time of the election announcement, elections will be held in the townships where it is feasible. Townships where elections cannot be held will be announced accordingly. According to current statistics, 267 townships are planned for the upcoming election.”
A media report noted that the MEVM-based system is expected to support free and fair elections. The PR system is of particular significance for ethnic parties contesting seats in the Amyotha Hluttaw and state/regional Hluttaws, allowing representation to better reflect the share of votes. This helps minimize seat losses due to narrow vote margins and may alleviate the dominance of larger parties.
In summary, with elections scheduled to take place in 267 townships, Myanmar is preparing for a significant yet carefully managed electoral process, reflecting both logistical constraints and a push toward broader and fairer representation across the country. –