ANFREL Undertakes CSOs Mapping and Needs Assessment in Myanmar (May-June 2019) [1]

ANFREL together with the Democracy Reporting International (DRI) carried out a mapping and needs assessment of civil society organizations (CSOs) based in Northern Shan State, Southern Shan State, Kayah State, Rakhine State, and Kachin State to identify which groups have experience in observing the elections. This is part of ANFREL’s capacity building program in Myanmar for National Election Monitoring Groups (NEMGs).

 Through the program, ANFREL and DRI mapped out the work of the CSOs on human rights and civic education and identified which groups are planning to observe the 2020 general elections. The focus states were selected based on the ethnic diversity and the conflict situation in the areas to gather different perspectives on the challenges they may encounter in observing the election.

Most of the CSO representatives have participated in election observation missions either as short-term or long-term observers but have not done so as an organization. 

 The participating CSOs expressed interest in observing the 2020 General Elections but have yet to plan on the initiative. Technical capacity and funding constraints were the most common challenges CSOs identified in conducting election observation.

 CSOs also experienced issues with regulations on organizing activities as permits were required to conduct activities in some areas and the lack of cooperation from the government departments proved to be challenging as well.

 There is a need to build the capacity of the CSOs in observing the elections in the different stages of the electoral cycle as well as assist with funding issues.