How do I vote?

Voter List Display

Before voting, it is essential that you check your details on the Voter List. The Union Election Commission publicly displays the Voter List for a temporary period in the months leading up to an election. During this time voters can check the list and submit corrections, and first time voters will be able to register themselves. As circumstances change over the years, it is normal for the Voter List to become out-of-date between elections or contain errors. That is why it is essential that voters check and update the List during the Display period. If you are not correctly listed on the Voter List, you will not be able to vote.

Election Day

On Election Day, voting takes place at polling booths designated by the Union Election Commission. Polling booths are usually situated in central, easy-to-access community areas such as schools and community centres. The current polling manual includes revised guidelines for accessibility for persons with disabilities.

The Union Election Committee will announce the location and openings hours of polling booths in the weeks before the election takes place. Polling booths are open for limited hours, so make sure to visit in time in order to cast your votes.

At the polling booth, you will be presented with a ballot paper for each seat that is being contested. For example in the 2020 general elections, as there will be voting for the Amyotha Hluttaw, the Pyithu Hluttaw and state and regional hluttaws, each voter will receive three ballot papers. The voter will be able to mark the box next to their preferred candidate’s name on each paper. Ballot papers that are unclear will be deemed invalid. This includes ballot papers with markings next to more than one candidate and ballot papers with no candidate marked.

Advanced Voting

Voters who are unable to attend a polling booth on Election Day can choose to cast their ballot in advance, as per Section 45 of the Election Law. This applies to voters who must work on Election Day or are not in the registered constituency. There are two categories of advance voting outlined in the by-laws: inside constituency and outside constituency.

Individuals that can register for inside constituency advance voting include:

  • Those who are elderly, sick or giving birth;
  • Individuals in custody; or
  • Military, civil service and police officials.

If voters are unable to vote at their ward/village tract sub-commission office, an advance voting team will come to their home so they can cast their vote.

The voting process for inside constituency advanced voting is the same as in a polling station. The ballots for the elections will be cast in the advance voting ballot box at each polling station. On Election Day, the advance voting ballot box will be delivered to each the polling station before 6 a.m. and counted at polling station after closing.

Individuals who can register for outside constituency voting include:

  • Defense services personnel and members of their households;
  • Students;
  • Detainees; or
  • In-patients who are undergoing medical treatment in a hospital.

For outside constituency advance voting, eligible voters may request to vote in advance. The township sub-commission will then send advance ballots and envelopes to the relevant institution or military unit. The military commanders or department heads will collect the envelopes containing the advance votes, check the ward/village tract names and polling station numbers and send the envelopes back to the relevant township sub-commission. Outside constituency advance voting will be counted after the polling station closes.