State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, 75, and President Win Myint, 68, joined Myanmar’s other elderly voters in casting their advanced votes on Thursday as part of a bid to avoid crowding at polling stations on November 8.
People aged 60 and over, who are more vulnerable to Covid-19, have been urged to cast their votes early by the Union Election Commission (UEC).
The State Counsellor and the President cast their votes remotely at the Naypyitaw branch of the UEC as they were unable to travel to Yangon, where they are registered to vote in Bahan and Tamwe respectively.
“I believe in our people, and I hope the people will also trust us too,” the President told reporters after casting his vote.
Elders also turned out to vote in Aungmyethazan township (pictured) in Mandalay region, where some 700,000 eligible voters are aged over 60.
In Yangon, a steady stream of older voters cast their ballots at advance polling stations in Pabedan, Latha, Kyimyindaing and Kyauktada townships (pictured).
Those unable to return to the township where they are registered because of travel restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19 are allowed to vote remotely and in advance at one of the UEC’s local offices.
The UEC is also sending mobile polling stations to Covid-19 quarantine facilities so people there can cast their ballots in advance.
Advance voting will be open until November 7.
(Yan Moe Naing, Min Min and Sai Zaw/Myanmar Now)
