Myanmar Junta Bars Independent Domestic Monitors From Sunday’s Election

While Myanmar’s military regime has invited its international allies and other autocratic governments to observe its election, it has barred independent domestic monitoring groups.

Local civil society organizations played a key role in past elections, but many are now in hiding or have had their monitoring applications rejected for lack of official registration.

One election observer told The Irrawaddy that in previous elections, groups were formed and registered with the election commission shortly before polling. “This time, only organizations already registered with the Ministry of Home Affairs are allowed [to monitor the vote],” he said.