More attention should be paid to COVID-19 rather than election: political parties

More attention should be paid to COVID-19 rather than election: political parties
Published 22 March 2020

 

Yangon--Some political parties have called on the government to pay more attention to the preventive measures against COVID-19 rather than the 2020 General Election.

U Min Zeya, Vice-chair of the People’s Party said: “The prevention of COVID-19 pandemic is more important than the upcoming election. The duty of political parties is to run for the election. But serving the public’s interest is more pivotal. Political parties are duty-bound to overcome the coronavirus pandemic together with the public.”

He also called on the government officials to take effective preventive measures against the virus in order to lessen the anxiety of public and enable the public to get confidence in fighting against it in case of outbreak.

On 19 March, U Myint Naing, a member of the Union Election Commission (UEC) said the UEC is implementing the plans to deal with the possible impacts on the election caused by COVID-19 and will hold the election during this year.

U Sai Lake, General Secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) said: “Voting is a nationwide matter. It is meaningless if emphasis is placed only on the UEC’s decision. I think the government must think about it.”

Till 21 March, there have been no confirmed cases in Myanmar yet, according to the statement by the Ministry of Health and Sports.