The Union Election Commission (UEC) is making plans for the upcoming 2020 general elections that can meet five criteria, especially the election result would be similar to the will of the voters, said U Soe Yel, member of the UEC.

The remarks came from the speech of U Soe Yel made at the meeting of Shan State Election Commission and political parties at Taunggyi hotel in Taunggyi Town, Shan State on July 11.  

The meeting was aimed at developing democratic culture and democratic election processes and flourishing democracy. The goal of this meeting is also to implement a system that will ensure a smooth and  transparent process for the upcoming elections. Of course, in order to do that, there must be a course of action. It must abide by the law, avoid any wrongdoings and ultimately be a process that the citizens can trust, knowing that there is no  electoral interference. In addition to the five points we have already implemented to ensure this process is feasible, we will draft various rules and legislations, said U Soe Yel.

It is reported that the meetings similar to the ones held on July 11 will be also held in Kachin and Shan States, Mandalay and Ayeyawady Regions, U Soe Yel added.

The success of the 2020 elections was one of the goals of holding the meeting. The information between the UEC and the political parties was to ensure a smooth flow and mutual trust was also to be further strengthened. There must be transparency and collaborative efforts in the upcoming elections, said Daw Khin Tha Zin Myint, a country representative of DIPD.

"The main point of the meeting including Union Election Sub-Commission and political parties is to achieve success in holding the upcoming 2020 general elections. It is our chief goal. The information is to flow well between the political parties and the commission and mutual trust is to be fostered. Transparency and cooperation must be enhanced," said Daw Khin Tha Zin Myint.

The current meeting can make those present know the functions of the commission. It is hoped that it would be the productive meeting that is beneficial to the political parties and the commission. Collaborative efforts would be put into electoral processes by holding the meetings, said Daw Khin Tha Zin Myint.

The group discussions focused on voter list compilation, announcement, instructions and codes of conduct of carrying out a canvass, security negotiation, electoral procedures, education of citizen and voters, measures of political parties and election candidates in accord with laws and by-laws and canvassing expenditures.

Invitations were sent to 31 political parties in Shan State, but 23 of them were present at the meeting.