Union Election Commission Chairman U Tin Aye said the canvassing period will be extended from 30 to 60 days for the 2015 general elections at the request of political parties.
U Tin Aye was speaking at a meeting of political party representatives at the Panda Hotel in Yangon on 21st October.
He said: “The commission had set a one-month canvassing period for the by-election but canvassers might scramble and bring political parties into conflicts, tarnishing the country’s image due to it hosting the ASEAN summit and related meetings. But the Union Election Commission has a plan to allow a 60-day canvassing period for political parties for the 2015 general elections."
U Tin Aye said there was a need to amend the election rules of the lower and upper houses of parliament and the region and state parliaments.
U Khin Maung Swe, a member of the Federal Democratic Alliance and chairman of the National Democratic Front recalled the difficulties his party faced reaching out to voters during the last election.
He said: “We canvassed voters by travelling to some remote villages by boat and by cart. Even with our best efforts, we could not meet all members of the public due to a shortage of time. Therefore, we welcome an extension of the canvassing period.”
