The Japanese government has provided solar lamps valued at US$890,000 to facilitate the counting of votes after sundown on election day.

The lamps have been donated through the UN Development Programme, Tateshi Higuchi, Japanese ambassador to Myanmar, told reporters last week at the Union Election Committee office in Nay Pyi Taw.

Japan is providing 51,298 lamps – two each for 25,649 polling stations.

“Solar lamps can be used for 12 hours after being recharged for 12 hours,” Mr Higuchi said. “If power consumption is reduced, they can last for 24 hours. It takes time to count votes, so these lamps will benefit the polling stations.”

UEC chair U Tin Aye said the lamps will not only help count votes, but can also be used where necessary following the election.

“These lamps are useful under bad weather condition as well as in regions where there is no electricity access,” said Toily Kurbanov, country director of UNDP Myanmar.

Translation by Thiri Min Htun