The Union Election Commission (UEC) said it has made systematic preparations for the successful holding of the 2020 General Election despite the COVID-19 based on regular discussions with the Ministry of Health on how best to ensure maximum safety for candidates and voters.

U Myint Naing, a member of the Union Election Commission said: “The people must wear facemasks. The UEC has taken the preventive measures for voters, polling station officers, polling station staff, observers and journalists inside and outside of the polling booths The UEC will prepare facilities for voters to observe strict handwashing procedures.”

The UEC held a press conference on the election at the UEC’s office in Nay Pyi Taw on 2 September.

The UEC has decided on the criteria to be followed by the candidates for canvassing and the information will be released after the final coordination with the Ministry of Health and Sports.

The UEC member added “The UEC has to build more polling booths at the places where there are many voters. The UEC had previously planned to open more than 40,000 polling booths nationwide. Now that number has increased to more than 41,000 polling booths.

There will be a voting system for the places where the additional polling booths cannot be built.

For instance, the polling booth which has 1,500 voters will be in two batches (750: 750).

In some places, the polling booths will be in three batches,” he continued.

The UEC has also prepared for the voting of the quarantined people on Election Day.