Myanmar

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From 2013 through 2020, The Carter Center observed elections, strengthened civil society, and increased women’s participation in politics as the country attempted to transition from military rule to democracy.

Impact

During observation missions in 2015 and 2020, identified serious flaws in the legal framework that keep people from voting
Provided training and support to local organizations to conduct voter education campaigns, along with workshops on monitoring social media for election threats
Engaged women of ethnic political parties in the peace and reconciliation process through a partnership with the Women’s League of Burma

Legacy

Democracy

How It Started

We established an office in Yangon in October 2013 and began our election observation work in December 2014.

Our Work and Methods

For the 2015 general elections – a major milestone in Myanmar’s transition to democratic rule – we deployed three teams of long-term observers across the country, and a core team of experts worked out of Yangon. They were joined in November by more than 50 short-term observers. We kept a small team in Myanmar into 2016 to monitor postelection activities.
We provided technical assistance to a local organization that observed by-elections in 2017 and 2018.
For Yangon’s first municipal elections under a universal suffrage system in 2019, we supported local civil society groups as they conducted a voter education campaign. We also provided training to other civil society organizations working on elections, including through workshops on monitoring social media for digital threats to elections in 2019 and 2020.
In November 2020, 43 Carter Center observers visited 234 polling stations in 10 states and regions.

Impacts

After observing the 2015 election process for more than a year – from December 2014 through March 2016 – we were was able to make specific recommendations for addressing gaps and legal impediments.
Supporting local organizations to observe elections and educate voters ensures long-term engagement in the democratic process.
Our 2020 election observation team reiterated the need for constitutional reforms to address ongoing challenges to voting.

This project ended in 2020.

View all election reports for Myanmar >

Conflict between the military and ethnic armed groups has gone on for decades in Myanmar, despite attempts at peace and reconciliation.

The Carter Center and the Women’s League of Burma jointly implemented a program called “Broadening Participation of Women of Ethnic Political Parties in the Peace Process” in 2018 and 2019.

How It Started

To encourage a peace process that is not just decided by “men with guns,” The Carter Center joined forces with the Women’s League of Burma.

Our Work and Methods

“Broadening Participation of Women of Ethnic Political Parties in the Peace Process” included:

A needs assessment survey
Training for women of ethnic political parties on mediation and peace negotiation
A national dialogue conference attended by more than 90% of ethnic political parties

Impacts

The Carter Center and the Women’s League of Burma developed a set of documents to support broader participation of women of ethnic political parties.
Empowering women to fully participate in the process marks a significant step toward an inclusive and sustainable peace.

This project ended in 2019.