What is a by-election?
When a seat becomes vacant in the Amyotha, Pyithu, state or regional hluttaws, due to illness, death or the resignation of a representative, a by-election is held to fill the position.
When is Election Day?
The 2018 by-elections will be held on Saturday November 3, 2018.
Who are citizens voting for on Election Day?
Voters will directly elect representatives to 13 seats on Election Day. This includes one seat in the Amyotha Hluttaw (Myanmar’s upper house of Parliament), four seats in the Pyithu Hluttaw (the lower house) and eight seats in the state and regional hluttaw.
By-Election Locations for 2018
| Hluttaw | State/Region | Constituency | Estimated voters |
| Amyotha | Kachin State | Myitkyina | 188,957 |
| Pyithu | Chin State | Kanpetlet | 11,581 |
| Shan State | Laika | 35,500 | |
| Mandalay Region | Myingyan | 212,764 | |
| Yangon Region | Tamwe | 92,826 | |
| State and Regional | Chin State | Matupi 1 | 14,802 |
| Mandalay Region | Thabeikyin 1 | 79,970 | |
| Sagaing Region | Tamu 2 | 31,052 | |
| Bago Region | Oatwin 1 | 18,518 | |
| Rakhine State | Rathaedaung 2 | 31,101 | |
| Magway Region | Minbu 2 | 67,463 | |
| Yangon Region | Seikkan 2 | 1,552 | |
| State and Regional Ethnic Affairs Minister* |
Mandalay Region | Region-wide (28 townships) | 37,087 |
*In each state and region, minority populations that comprise of less than 0.1% of the total population, are represented by an Ethnic Affairs Minister in the state or regional hluttaw. Following the passing away of the Shan Ethnic Affairs Minister in Mandalay Region last year, there will be a by-election to fill his vacancy. Only registered Shan voters living in any of the 28 townships of Mandalay Region will be eligible to vote for the new Ethnic Affairs Minister.
Who is eligible to vote in the by-elections?
The constitution and election laws state that a person is eligible to vote if he or she:
- Holds full citizenship, associate citizenship, or naturalized citizenship;
- Is 18 years old or older on Election Day; and
- Is registered on the voter list in his or her constituency.
To vote in the by-elections, a person must also be registered as a resident in one of the 12 constituencies where by-elections will be held.
Who is not eligible to vote in the by-elections?
Myanmar’s election laws state that the following persons are not eligible to vote:
- Members of religious orders;
- Convicts;
- Persons judged to be of unsound mind by a relevant court;
- Persons who have not yet been discharged from bankruptcy;
- Persons who have committed a violation of the electoral law; or
- Foreigners or persons who have assumed foreign citizenship.
How will voters with disabilities cast their ballots?
Voters with disabilities will be able to cast their ballots with assistance from a person of their choice. Voting booths and ballot boxes will be at a height that is easily accessible. Signs will also be posted that include photos to ensure that voters are aware of how to cast their vote without having to read procedures. In addition, the polling manual includes improved guidelines for implementing inclusive polling operations and assisting voters with visual, physical, hearing and intellectual disabilities.
Codes of conduct:
Police
Political Parties
UEC Staff (Polling Station and all)
Media
