Thirty political parties including the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has sent a letter dated June 16, 2020 to the Union Election Commission demanding a prompt meeting with Myanmar’s political parties regarding the upcoming 2020 general election.

The political parties unanimously called on the UEC to hold a meeting with them as their aim is to ensure a free and fair election, said USDP spokesperson Thein Tun Oo.

“UEC has already promised a free and free election. I think there is no reason to call for a meeting if the commission acts as it has promised,” Thein Tun Oo said

In the letter, the parties did not mention the exact date for the meeting. But they demanded it promptly, he added.

The letter carries four paragraphs with 12 points to be discussed.

The parties stress the need for the UEC to brief on ballot counting, migrant voters, advanced voting procedures, submission of candidate lists, ethics  of parliamentary candidates, constituencies, collection of voter lists, number of poll stations and system of voting.

Sai Aik Paung, chairman of Shan Nationalities Democratic Party, said his reason for a meeting with UEC was to discuss the amended election rule that requires internally migrant workers to vote if they have arrived new places for 90 days.

“Previously, they could vote only after they had arrived for 180 days. For 90 days (in the amended version), they can be listed regardless of they have household lists or not. This affects the indigenous people. For example, people from mainland go to Muse. They can vote if they have arrived for 90 days. It’s not good for the local people,” he commented.

UEC officials said in earlier this month that the general election would be held in November this year in accord with the guidelines for Covid-19.