Twenty political parties are seeking to reform the Union Election Commission (UEC) after it warned them to stop criticising its plan to acquire laptop computers for the 2020 elections from a US non-profit group.
The parties objected to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) providing the equipment, and said they were upset because the UEC warned them last week they could be disqualified if they continue to criticise the deal.
U Hla Thein, a spokesperson for the main opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) said, “We regret the UEC’s statement. UEC officials told us recently they understand our concerns, so why did they issue the warning? We demand reform of the UEC to make it fair.”
The political parties, led by the USDP, said the IFES’s involvement could cause voting fraud in the 2020 election because the IFES is an American group, and the computers could be controlled by an organisation or person in another country.
On November 15, the UEC denied the parties’ accusations, saying they lack evidence, damaged the reputation of the UEC, and damaged public trust in the poll body.
The UEC warned that if the parties continue to criticise the plan without offering any evidence, their party registrations could be cancelled under Article 6 of the Election Law.
The UEC has chosen the IFES, which is mainly funded by the US Agency for International Development, to provide computers, printers and accessories, as well as technical support for election officers during the polls.
The IFES, established in 1987, has supported elections in countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Americas.
