Yangon, 14 August 2020 – The Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar, His Excellency Mr. MARUYAMA Ichiro, and Officer-In-Charge/Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Ms. Dawn Del Rio, today signed a Japanese Yen 181,000,000 funding agreement in support of Myanmar’s 2020 General Elections. The agreement was signed in virtual presence of His Excellency U Hla Thein, the Chairman of the Union Election Commission.

Japan and UNDP will ensure the supply of voting ink to Myanmar in the 2020 election. UNDP and Japan have a history of cooperation with the Myanmar Union Election Commission (UEC) to support strengthening integrity and confidence-building measure including support during the 2015 General Election. 

The partnership between UNDP and Japan will support the procurement of 113,000 bottles of voter ink for the 2020 election. The ink contains 20% Silver Nitrate – higher than the international standard of 18%.

Voter ink is a key integrity measure and is also a visible demonstration of the “one person - one vote” principle that is at the heart of elections in Myanmar. It helps to prevent electoral fraud and also provides proof of a person having performed their civic duty with a visual “I voted” signal to others. Through this, ink also enhances the transparency of an election, a key consideration for the UEC. This high-quality ink is resistant to attempts to remove it using water, soap, liquids, home-cleansing, detergents, bleaching product, alcohol, acetone or other organic solvents.

His Excellency U Hla Thein, the Chairman of the UEC, said, “We are thankful for the continued support of our international partners, including UNDP and Japan. With their consistent support to the UEC and elections in Myanmar, they demonstrate their long-term commitment to Myanmar and our democratic progress.”

His Excellency Mr. MARUYAMA Ichiro, Ambassador of Japan to Myanmar, said, “Japan has supported Myanmar’s democratization for decades, and recognizes that elections are a key component for Myanmar’s democracy. Through this support, we reaffirm the deep and continuing nature of the bilateral partnership between Japan and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.’

Ms. Dawn Del Rio, Officer in Charge/ Deputy Resident Representative, said, “UNDP has supported Myanmar’s elections since 2015 as a very important step in Myanmar’s democratization process. Such support strengthens the integrity of Myanmar’s electoral process.”

For more information and media queries, please contact:

Si Thu Soe Moe
Communications Analyst
United Nations Development Programme
Email : si.thu.soe.moe@undp.org