AFP, YANGON: The European Union said Friday that it has agreed to send observers to historic upcoming Myanmar elections in an effort to “strengthen democracy” in the former military-run nation.
Myanmar’s November 8 parliamentary vote will be the first nationwide election to include Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition in a quarter of a century and is seen as a key benchmark of political transition in a country still burdened by the legacy of decades of army rule. The EU said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Myanmar to send observers to monitor the polls, in a statement from Yangon.
“Election observation is an expression of the EU’s wish to support inclusive, transparent and credible elections as part of our policy to strengthen democracy, the rule of law and human rights,” said the EU’s Myanmar ambassador Roland Kobia.