Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing met with commanders of military commands through video teleconference (VTC) at 10.30 am on November 5, the Tatmadaw (Military) True News Information Team reported.
In his meeting with the commanders, the military chief promised any necessary assistance for the successful holding of the 2020 multi-party democracy election in their respective commands.
The Senior General asked about the systemic preparations for voting in their respective commands, and the commanders reported on the preparations and advancing voting by military officers and other ranks and their families in accord with the prescribed rules and disciplines.
He stressed the need for Western Command to take special security measures for servicemen and their families as well as local people in casting votes and to discharge security duty by strictly abiding by directive of the Union Election Commission. All officers, other ranks and families can cast their votes freely, he said.
“All servicemen and families can vote freely. Here, I’d like to note two points to be considered. The first point is to consider selection for able representatives who emphasize Our Three Main National Causes. Another point is that the representatives must be actually eligible for serving the interests of the State and the region. So, Tatmadaw members and families need to consider the aforesaid two points in freely casting votes. And, it is necessary to give a helping hand to the people for safe and free voting on Election Day,” the military chief said.
Also present at the meeting together with the Senior General were Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win and Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy and Air) General Mya Tun Oo.
The military chief said election is a decisive factor in the country’s democratic system. That is why the Tatmadaw has pointed out for a long time it is imperative that the election is free and fair, he added. He then called for all to offer assistance so that the voters can cast ballots free and fair.
“If there are irregularities, whether objections will be made or not is another issue. What is the most important is that votes cast well and smoothly and that the election day proceeds successfully and smoothly without any problem. Therefore, I have made some remarks recently. I have learnt certain news about some areas based on your reports. As for the news, I would like to say that votes will be cast into the ballot boxes on Election Day. Votes currently cast are advanced ones and as there are weaknesses in the advance voting, there may be weaknesses on Election Day due to various reasons. Therefore, I would like to urge all to instruct respective regiments and units and relevant organizations to bring about a free and fair election by cooperating with relevant committees so that voters can cast their votes safely and smoothly,” the military chief commented.
He also stressed the need for servicemen to render help if any natural disaster such as heavy rain or strong wind befalls the country while they also need to go to the polls.
