A CEREMONY of remarks on observation by inter­national election observ­ers who monitored Phase I of the multiparty democratic general election held in 102 townships on 28 December 2025 took place at the Jasmine Nay Pyi Taw Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morn­ing, with an address by Chair­man of the Union Election Com­mission U Than Soe.

Also present at the cer­emony were UEC member U Myo Hlaing, deputy ministers, election observation delegations led by Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Mr Shol­ban Kara-Ool, Central Election Commission member of Russian Mr Igor Borisov, Special Envoy for Asian Affairs of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Deng Xijun, Ms Chen Xuanbo from the International Depart­ment of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Deputy Chairman of the Election Commission of Kazakhstan Mr Yerman Mukhtar, member of the Cambodian Election Commis­sion Mr Yich Samethy, Head of International Relations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Mr Nguyen Duc Thinh, Mr Mario Jose Armengol Campos from Nicaragua, Retired Maj-Gen Mr Sahni Arun Kumar of India and Mr Yusuke Watanabe of the Japan-Myanmar Association, di­rectors-general of the relevant ministries, and officials from the UEC Office and guests.

Speaking on the occasion, the UEC Chairman said that the Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and State Security and Peace Com­mission Chairman expressed his pleasure and gratitude for being able to visit and observe the elec­tion process. The UEC Chair­man emphasized that holding the election is crucial for form­ing the respective Hluttaws, and through the Hluttaws, assigning responsibilities to the President, Vice-President, administrative bodies, and union-level organi­zations appointed by the Presi­dent, thereby enabling the gov­ernment to carry out its duties. It is therefore important that the election is conducted fully and in accordance with the law.

The 2025 multiparty dem­ocratic general election marks an important milestone for the nation. The role of the observers who participated in monitoring the election process for correct­ness, integrity, and credibility is extremely significant. Their participation has highlighted the importance of transparen­cy, freedom, fairness, and col­laborative coordination in the democratic process. Their obser­vations and recommendations will strengthen public confidence and contribute to the further de­velopment and flourishing of the democratic system.

Myanmar’s foreign poli­cy is independent, active, and non-aligned. It is based on the principles of global peace and maintaining friendly relations with other nations. On this foundation, it will be possible to promote and strengthen coop­eration through mutual under­standing and goodwill between countries.

The UEC Chairman ex­pressed his delight and was deeply grateful for the sincere support and steadfast friendship of the observation teams toward Myanmar. Their encouragement reflects true camaraderie and brotherhood. Not only will the governments of their coun­tries and Myanmar continue to maintain strong relations, but the ties between the peoples of both countries will also remain as enduring bonds of friendship.

The UEC Chairman invited them to openly and transpar­ently share their observations and comments regarding their election monitoring experience. By receiving their perspectives, the commission will be able to identify ways to carry out future activities even more effectively.

Election observers from the Russian Federation, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Ka­zakhstan and Cambodia gave their remarks on the election observation process.

Distinguished Chairman of the Un­ion Election Commission of Myanmar, officials, and international guests, yes­terday, we observed the election of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar held in collaboration with international election observation teams. Our delegation includ­ed not only representatives from political parties in Russia but also representatives from the Election Commission. They have experience studying elections not only in Myanmar but also in other countries on multiple occasions. We have also shared the experiences of our team members. Therefore, we are here to observe Myan­mar’s election by comparing it with our own experiences. During our observa­tion yesterday, we clearly saw the efforts and dedication of the Myanmar Election Commission. This work is definitely not easy, and it is evident that they are truly putting in a lot of effort. While we were observing, we noticed that voters were using electronic voting machines. Accord­ing to officials, these machines are fully protected against any external electronic interference, and we could see that these machines were functioning properly and reliably. No signs of outside disruption were observed. Using these machines ensures that the election results are gen­uine and credible. The use of electronic voting machines in this election is a real advantage. From what we observed, these machines greatly reduced the time re­quired for voting compared to previous elections. The voting process was faster, and voters were organized in long, orderly lines, participating actively and happily. We also saw that the staff members of the Union Election Commission were serving their duties attentively and energetically. Yesterday, we exchanged brief greetings with voters and asked a few questions. All of them were enthusiastic and showed genuine interest in the election. They said they were preparing to vote actively and happily. We also observed that party representatives monitoring the election were performing their duties carefully. Some voters were even waiting at poll­ing stations with their family members, which reflects a true sense of communal participation. Seeing this, we feel that the public has confidence in the election and in its security measures. Therefore, I would like to express my pride and sat­isfaction regarding the election. We, as the Russian delegation, are proud of the successful conduct of the election and the dedication of those responsible for ensuring its smooth operation and full security. Therefore, we believe that both the organizers of the election and the participating citizens will achieve the sta­bility, peace, development, and success they desire. The diligent and lawful efforts made in conducting the election are not to be forgotten. I am confident that those responsible are carrying out their duties with great care. In conclusion, I would like to express that we are pleased and proud of the Election Commission staff for their dedicated efforts, the sincere commitment of Myanmar’s leaders to the election, and the strong enthusiasm of the people. We convey our heartfelt congratulations on the successful conduct of phase 1 of the election.

Distinguished friends attending the ceremony, Mingalaba! Our delegation leader has already shared a very com­prehensive view of the election being held in Myanmar, and I would like to add a few of my own observations. The already-conducted election is transpar­ent and in accordance with the law, and I would like to express our gratitude for that. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of those responsible, we had the opportunity to observe the election closely. We were able to speak with some of the voters and also visit polling stations to interact with the staff of the Union Election Commis­sion. We learned about the operation of the Electronic Voting Machines as well. We would like to commend the organizers for arranging both the election process for our observation and the use of the electronic voting machines. From the legal framework to the organization of the election, the security measures, and the active work of the staff, we, as the Russian Election Commission, can confidently declare that this is a high-standard, trans­parent, and well-conducted election. I would like to add that this election was conducted in an orderly manner, and we did not observe any opponents of the election or those trying to derail the dem­ocratic path. In the early stages before the election, there were some attempts on the internet to spread news aimed at disrupting the election. We are well aware that Myanmar’s election was targeted through information technology attacks. However, both the Election Commission and the citizens successfully overcame these challenges, ensuring that the elec­tion process could proceed smoothly along the democratic path. I also want to emphasize again the support from the Head of State of Myanmar and the active participation of the people, which made it possible to successfully carry out the election. Finally, I would like to note that if Myanmar needs assistance regarding electoral matters, we are ready to provide support.

Mr Deng Xijun, Special Envoy for Asian Affairs of the Ministry of For­eign Affairs of China

On behalf of our country, I would like to express our gratitude for inviting us to come and observe. We are especially pleased and honoured to have had the opportunity, over the past three days, to study how Myanmar is organizing and conducting its election. We are particu­larly grateful to the Myanmar Election Commission for inviting and granting us this observation opportunity. Notably, the successful conduct of these elections reflects the agreements and cooperative efforts between Myanmar’s Acting Presi­dent Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Myanmar and China have been collaborating on many initiatives, and China continues to provide substantial support to Myanmar. Yesterday, we visited six polling stations in Nay Pyi Taw. From my observations, everything appeared to be well-organ­ised and running smoothly. Specifically, the preparation and arrangement of the polling stations were systematic, and we saw voters participating actively. At the last polling station, even about an hour be­fore closing, people were still lined up and waiting to cast their votes. We observed that the staff responsible for the election were performing their duties accurately and efficiently. They were carefully ver­ifying voters’ ID cards and information, working with patience and diligence. The first part of this election is proceeding smoothly and peacefully. Since it has been successful, we believe that Phases II and III can also be conducted suc­cessfully. We also noticed that voters have expectations that after the election, their lives will improve, the economy will get better, and in some areas, conflicts will decrease, leading to greater peace and stability. This election is an internal affair for Myanmar, and from China’s perspective, it is successful. We believe it will contribute to national reconciliation and coexistence. China and Myanmar maintain good, friendly, and cooperative relations. We are always ready to assist Myanmar and are committed to support­ing initiatives that foster development between the two countries. Therefore, we hope that this election will contribute to the economic and social development of Myanmar through collaborative efforts.

On 28 December 2025, as part of the Belarusian delegation, we came as ob­servers to study and monitor how the elections of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar are being conducted. The first thing I noticed is that the Election Com­mission’s operational capacity is highly organized and of excellent quality. Every effort has been made at the designated polling stations to ensure that citizens can vote freely and securely. Ensuring such security is extremely important for each polling station. We observed that many voters personally came to cast their votes to make their own choices and decide their future. This is very pos­itive because young people and family members were actively participating, showing genuine interest and respect for the process. Today, we noticed that citizens are making every effort to elect representatives to the parliament. These elected representatives will later form a government and continue to build the nation. We observed that the people of Myanmar are actively participating be­cause they want to personally determine their own destiny. This is particularly impressive and a source of great pride. We also noticed that there were no viola­tions of the law, and the innovative use of electronic voting machines highlights a modern approach to voting. This technol­ogy speeds up the process and eliminates delays. There were no long lines of voters; everything was simple, fast, and efficient. We are especially pleased that necessary preparations, including initial training for polling station staff and voters, were carried out in advance. Citizens of all ages came on time to vote with confidence. Overall, seeing smiles on the faces of voters indicates their trust and belief in their future. Thank you.

The leaders of the Parliamentary Committee on Cooperation with the Re­public of the Union of Myanmar arrived in Myanmar on 24 December and today visited three polling stations in the city. At present, conditions are peaceful and calm, and every measure has been taken to ensure that citizens can freely express their will. Elections are the only legiti­mate path in the political process, and we believe they provide fair competition in establishing authority and convening the Hluttaw. Concrete steps are being taken for dialogue and cross-party consensus. Political groups that refuse to partici­pate in society are removing themselves from the legal framework and pursuing paths inconsistent with the constitutional framework. Such groups are undermining election activities in certain areas to pre­vent the proper conduct of the electoral process. We believe that, based on the results of the Hluttaw elections, lawful governing bodies can be formed in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Bela­rus is always ready to assist and support in this process. Over the past four years, the Myanmar government has achieved successes in addressing domestic politi­cal issues. Although challenges remain, Belarus remains prepared to provide nec­essary political support to our friends in Myanmar, and the presence of Belarusian observers is part of this commitment. This serves as a testament that our leaders support Myanmar’s goal of peace and the stable and secure development of its territory.

First of all, I would like to extend my greetings to all the distinguished guests who are here this event. I would like to begin by stating that all the guests present here will play an important role in building close diplomatic relations between Myanmar and Kazakhstan. I am the Deputy Chairman of the Election Commission of Kazakhstan. The main purpose of our delegation’s visit is to observe and study the elections being held in Myanmar, to further strengthen and continue diplomatic cooperation be­tween our two countries, and to discuss matters of mutual interest. I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the Myanmar Election Commission for their warm welcome and for creating the best possible conditions for our observa­tion mission. Since our arrival, we have received a great deal of relevant informa­tion regarding the elections conducted in Myanmar, both in Yangon and in Nay Pyi Taw. In particular, the speech delivered by the Chairman of the Myanmar Elec­tion Commission enabled us to gain a clear understanding of all the processes being carried out by the Commission and the technological aspects that will be used in the elections. We observed that the elections in Myanmar involve truly practical and genuinely competitive elec­toral processes. We are also considering applying the positive practices and valu­able information we observed here in our own country. I would like to share a few of my observations regarding the elections. Conducting an election within a single day is indeed a very large and demanding task. In doing so, we were able to see one of the challenging aspects faced by the Election Commission. Bringing together and managing large numbers of people in a single day is extremely difficult. We also observed that, in carrying out the elections, not only the Election Com­mission but also representatives from the respective political parties came to observe and that all parties were coop­erating in the process. Another point we observed is that the voter lists have been prepared very carefully and systemati­cally. At the respective polling stations, arrangements have been made so that all voters can easily find their names on the lists. In addition, voters are able to check their names not only on the posted voter list boards but also in the register upon arrival at the polling station, sign their names, and then proceed to the voting booth to cast their ballots by se­cret vote. We also observed that voting machines were used at polling stations in a thorough and highly effective manner. Voters participated actively and cast their ballots enthusiastically. Furthermore, we noted that journalists from both do­mestic and international media were gathering news on the election process, and that state-owned media were also reporting on and broadcasting the elec­tions. One particularly important point is that a large number of young people were among those casting ballots. This demonstrates that, with strong youth participation in the electoral process, Myanmar’s young people hold great hope and expectations for the country’s future. In addition, I would like to state that we are ready to further strengthen and expand diplomatic relations between our two countries. In conclusion, I wish the elections in Myanmar every success and a smooth completion. Thank you all.

On behalf of the Election Commission of Cambodia, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity to visit and observe. Yesterday, when I visited the polling stations in Nay Pyi Taw, I would like to share the following obser­vations. First, I observed that the prepa­ration and conduct of the polling stations were extremely well organized, complete, and peaceful. Voters were able to partici­pate in the election in an orderly manner, exercising their democratic rights without any external interference, obstruction, sabotage, or intimidation. Secondly, all of­ficials on duty at the polling stations were carrying out the voting, vote-counting, and overall electoral processes properly and thoroughly in accordance with the prescribed laws and regulations. Another key point is transparency. Throughout the entire voting process, it was conducted openly and transparently. The opening and closing of polling stations, voting, and vote counting were all carried out care­fully with the participation of all relevant stakeholders, including state authorities. We observed that political parties, as well as international election observers and the media, were also able to participate and cooperate throughout the process. Fourth, by using Myanmar’s electronic voting machines, voters were able to cast their ballots in a way that made both voting and vote counting faster and more accurate than before. In addition, we ob­served that voters coming to cast their ballots had a good understanding of how to use the voting machines. Fifth, we also found that not only were voters able to vote at polling stations in a safe and secure environment, but appropriate and reliable security arrangements were also in place for polling station staff. Sixth, we did not observe any irregularities or misconduct of any kind. In addition to the absence of such issues, we found that the election was conducted smoothly and effectively, with no instances of improper procedures. Furthermore, polling stations were easily accessible for all voters, and the voting process was convenient and well organized. As a result, we observed that this election process was comprehen­sive and carried out with full accountabil­ity. In conclusion, in accordance with the invitation of the Government of Myanmar, we came to observe the 2025 general election and visited numerous polling stations during our observation. At the polling stations we observed, the elections were conducted calmly and properly in accordance with the law and relevant reg­ulations, and were carried out in a free, fair, and transparent manner. Moreover, as we did not observe any irregularities whatsoever, we found that the entire elec­tion process was sound, credible, and able to gain broad public trust. Therefore, we hope that future stages of the elections will also be conducted as smoothly and effectively as at this stage. We would also like to express our gratitude for the in­vitation. As the year 2026 approaches, we wish all colleagues and distinguished guests a happy and prosperous New Year. Thank you.

The UEC Chairman spoke words of appreciation. — MNA/TTA