Myanmar's election process credible, transparent: EU mission

Myanmar's general election was credible and transparent, and the process was better than expected, head of an EU Election Observation Mission said on Tuesday.

Noting that Sunday's poll was well-organized and voters had a real choice between different candidates, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, chief observer of the mission said legal reform and procedural improvement still remained.

He said voters of Myanmar turned out in large numbers and calmly cast their ballots in a generally well-run polling process.

Lambsdorff pointed out that the critical results process was still underway and it would be important to maintain a high level of transparency and integrity throughout.

"The legal framework does not fully provide for the conduct of genuine elections, most notably because of limitations concerning the number of seats directly elected to the parliament, as well as some limitations on the right to vote and the right to stand," he said.

Ana Gomes, head of the Delegation of the European Parliament which monitored the election as part of the EU mission, said the European Parliament would assist in building capacity and promoting democratic governance and oversight.

EU observers will remain in Myanmar until December to present a final report with recommendations to the public at a later stage.

A total of 150 EU observers were monitoring the historic vote from over 500 polling stations across Myanmar. Endit