The Union Election Commission is due to meet with political parties before the end of this year to discuss the requirements for the general election to be held in 2020, said UEC spokesperson Myint Naing.

He said a schedule has been set for a meeting between the UEC and political parties. Meanwhile, plans are underway to start meetings with region and state election sub-commissions, political parties and election-related organizations this month.

Twenty six political parties including the major opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party sent an open letter to the UEC on May 23 calling for a meeting to discuss election matters. The commission however rejected it describing the points demanded in the letter as negative and groundless.

Sai Ye Kyaw Swar Myint from PACE, a group for public activities on electoral affairs, said the UEC should organize a meeting with the political parties at a time when the country has a transition period in which honest mistakes might be viewed as political blunders.

"The commission should have better connections with political parties. It needs to listen more to the political parties. Exchange of short or long letters will not work. I want them to have face-to-face meetings," he added.

The draft voter lists for the 2020 general election will be collected and it is scheduled to finish by September, said Myint Naing.

The UEC has met with political parties only three times since it took office three years ago.