Myanmar’s election commission has announced the country’s historic election will continue as planned, after brief talk of a possible delay. The commission had consulted Myanmar’s political parties on the possibility of postponing the poll because of the impact of flooding and landslides. A delay seemed likely, but later on Tuesday the commission said it would go ahead on 8 November as planned. The poll is set to be the first openly contested general election in 25 years.
Some parts of Myanmar have been devastated by floods and landslides. Chin and Sagaing were particularly badly hit in August, and in the last week, 17 people died in landslides in Kayah State.
Article 10F of Burmese electoral law allows for the cancellation or postponement of votes in individual constituencies because of “natural disasters” or “regional security”. It does not state that the Union Election Commission has the right to enforce a nationwide postponement.
Full Article: Myanmar election: Poll to go ahead despite delay talk – BBC News.
