International, local media outlets and individuals must apply by December 12 to cover upcoming election
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Htet Nadi (NP News) - Nov 2
The Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced that the multi-party democratic general election will be held in 102 townships as part one starting on December 28.
Local or foreign media outlets, including international media organizations and individuals, wishing to cover the election must apply to the Ministry of Information, and UEC will issue accreditation cards only after the Ministry of Information has reviewed the applications.
Local media outlets will be allowed to cover the election in respective townships within each district where the election will be held, with a maximum of four reporters per outlet. When applying for election day media access cards, applicants must submit a letter of authorization from the local media organization they represent to cover the election and apply to the relevant District Election Commission.
In addition, local private journalists must submit a recommendation from a local media organization they are affiliated with in their application to the relevant District Election Commission.
Similarly, the UEC said that if a reporter wants to obtain information from more than one district, he must apply again to the district election commissions he wish to obtain information from.
Therefore, the UEC has informed that the deadline for applying for information access cards for election days is December 12.
Foreign countries have already been invited to observe Myanmar’s upcoming election, with Russia, China, and Belarus almost certain to send observer delegations.
ASEAN member states were also verbally invited by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing during the visit of the Malaysian Foreign Minister to Myanmar. However, whether or not ASEAN countries will send observers will depend on the decision of each individual nation.
According to president of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the Association of Southeast Asian Nations has not yet adopted a common position on sending election observers to Myanmar. He made the remarks during a press briefing following the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Marcos added that the regional bloc is leaving the decision to each member state’s discretion regarding participation in observing Myanmar’s upcoming elections.