STATEMENT BY THE ASEAN CHAIR'S OBSERVER DELEGATION
ON MYANMAR BY-ELECTIONS ON 1 APRIL 2012
Yangon, 2 April 2012
- At the special invitation of His Excellency Thein Sein, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the current ASEAN Chair, had sent an ASEAN Chair’s observer delegation to witness the by-elections held on 1 April 2012 in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
- The delegation is led by His Excellency Chheang Vun, MP and Chairman of the Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Information of Cambodia's National Assembly.
- Upon arrival in Yangon on 27 March 2012, the observer delegation carried out important observation activities in order to understand the general situation surrounding the by-elections. The overall environment was calm, peaceful and non-violent. Despite complaints of irregularities and intimidation, this delegation did not observe any incidents that might have affected the process or the results of the by-elections.
- The by-elections to elect 45 vacant parliamentary seats on 1 April 2012 in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar was conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner with participation of 17 political parties including the National League for Democracy (NLD). The NLD was able to freely undertake its campaign activities and NLD President Aung San Suu Kyi was able to travel all over the country to rally support for her party and to hold a press conference at her residence in Yangon on 30 March 2012 attended by hundreds of foreign observers and journalists.
- Hundreds of foreign diplomats, observers and journalists from all over the world were invited by the government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to witness this historic event. The invitation represents a very positive gesture of the Myanmar government and was overwhelmingly welcomed by the international community. Foreign observers and journalists were allowed to travel freely to all constituencies to perform their observation activities.
- It was observed on the day of the by-elections that the people of Myanmar eagerly turned out to cast their votes at their respective polling stations. Many voters said they strongly welcomed the by-elections and believed this would pave the way for national reconciliation and democracy in Myanmar.
- The success of the by-elections is another significant step for Myanmar in its process of its democratic reform and signifies the realization of the country’s 7-step roadmap to democracy.
- We, the ASEAN Chair’s observer delegation, wish to call for all ASEAN member states and the international community to cooperate closely with the Government of the Republic of Myanmar and to continue to provide the assistance and support it needs in its democratic reform process.
- We urge the international community to consider lifting economic sanctions on Myanmar so that the people of Myanmar can enjoy better opportunities in realizing their aspirations for peace, national reconciliation, democracy and national development.
- In conclusion, the ASEAN Chair’s observer delegation congratulates the people of Myanmar for successfully and peacefully realizing this historic achievement, which we were honoured to observe on behalf of the peoples of ASEAN.