11 August
Union Election Commission (UEC) and International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) jointly organized a 2019 International Youth Day Event in Shwepyitha Hotel, Mandalay yesterday morning.
At the event UEC Chairman U Hla Thein said the role of qualified youths with general knowledge was important in establishing a democratic country. More involvement and participation of youth was required in the democratic process of correctly voting and selecting representatives for representation. The 2020 General Elections will be held under the five norms of free, fair, transparent, credible election that reflected the will of the people. Young voters reaching the age of 18 years would number about 5 million in the 2020 General Election and would have an effect on the election results. UEC was conducting election education works in cooperation with civil society and international organizations for youth to participate, be more involved and vote correctly in the 2020 General Election. At the moment works on preparing voters list were conducted country wide in cooperation with relevant ministerial departments. Youth organizations were urged to cooperate toward having an accurate and correct voters list. The main point for youths voting for the first time was to have their names included in the voters list. As false news, hate speech and attacks on social media can affect the 2020 General Elections all were urged to prevent these from spreading, said the UEC Chairman.
Next, youth organizations and attendees conducted plays and poster competition on voter education to raise the role of youth participation in elections.
Afterwards, UEC Chairman inspected the exhibits and information resources displayed by civil service organizations and youth network groups to increase the role of youth participation in voter education and increase general knowledge.
The event was attended by Region Election Sub Commission Chairman and members, officials from district and township election sub commissions, officials from IFES, civil service organizations and youth network groups and first time voter course trainees.—Mandalay Sub Printing House (Translated by Zaw Min)
