RANGOON — The Union Election Commission (UEC) announced on Tuesday evening that a landmark general election slated for Nov. 8 would not be postponed, less than 12 hours after it had raised the prospect of a delayed vote with some of Burma’s largest political parties.
A UEC statement made available to the media reads: “After reviewing the pros and cons of postponement, the commission has decided to hold the election as scheduled on Nov. 8.”
On Tuesday morning, the UEC had a meeting with seven political parties in Naypyidaw to discuss whether or not to delay the highly anticipated poll, citing natural disasters, regional instability, and a handful of other factors that had given election officials cause for concern about their ability to carry out a credible nationwide election.
A press release from the commission on Tuesday afternoon concluded that after hearing input from the political parties in attendance at the morning meeting, the UEC would ultimately decide whether or not to postpone the vote.
Burma’s main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), attended the morning meeting and objected to postponement, while the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and two other parties favored a delay.
