A letter signed by officials from 24 political parties calls on the Union Election Commission (UEC) to postpone the 2020 General Election due to the spread of COVID-19 on September 15

 

But other political parties are concerned about the emergence of undesirable events due to the demands for the postponement of the election. They want the UEC to hold the election as per schedule.

 

Naing Layi Tama, Secretary of the Mon Unity Party said: “The party doesn’t think about the postponement of the election. According to my personal view, the election day has been announced. The parties have started canvassing. The parties have spent their money on the election campaign. There will be political consequences if the election cannot be held normally. There may be a worrying situation.”

 

“No need to postpone the election if the parties strictly abide by the instructions released by the Ministry of Health and Sports said Naing Layi Tama who is also a candidate for the Mon State Parliament.

 

However, these views they urge the election to go carry on as scheduled fail to seriously address the COVID-19 health issue and the pandemic sweeping the world.  

 

 U Zin Nyein Tun, Secretary of Bilin Township from the People’s Pioneer Party (PPP) said: “Our party has sent an open letter to the UEC. The party has suggested the UEC to postpone the election until December 17 due to the spread of COVID-19.”

 

The political parties which sent an open letter to the UEC are The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the New National Democracy Party, the National Development Party, the Democratic Party (Myanmar), the Modern People’s Party, the National Political Alliance Party, Wunthanu Democratic Party, Rakhine State National United Party, Mro National Development Party, Peace and Diversity Party, the Public Contribute Students Party, the New Era Union Party, Myanmar People’s Democratic Party, the Democracy and Peace Party, the 88 Generation Democracy Party, the Union Farmer-Labour Force Party, the Bamar People’s Party, the People’s Party of Myanmar Farmers and Workers, the Party for People, the National Democratic Force Party, the Public of Labour Party, the National Prosperity Party and Myanmar Farmers Development Party.

 

There are 94 existing political parties. Of them, two parties have been temporarily suspended by the UEC.