YANGON — Myanmar’s State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint have cast their ballots in Naypyitaw as early voting for the November general election began on Thursday.
Normally, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi votes in Bahan Township in Yangon Region and the president in Tamwe in the city, where they are registered as residents. But voting in Naypyitaw complies with COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Myanmar is due to hold its general election on Nov. 8 with nearly 100 political parties and numerous independents contesting 1,171 seats in the Upper and Lower houses and state and regional parliaments.
The Union Election Commission allows citizens to vote in advance if they are unable to return to their constituencies due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is contesting her Lower House Kawhmu Township seat, which she won in 2015. U Win Myint will also re-contest the Lower House seat in Tamwe Township that he secured in the 2015 general election.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said on Monday that the government is well-prepared for the election, despite the COVID-19 outbreak. She said protective equipment is being flown in from China to be distributed across the country.
She said elections in other countries have been studied to learn how to manage safe voting.
“We are preparing the most suitable plans for the country, depending on the need and our resources. So people can cast their votes in safety on election day and are encouraged to do so,” she said.
The UEC is also allowing voters older than 60 in townships under the stay-at-home orders or with dense populations to vote in advance from Thursday.
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