The election is not a single activity that starts with polling and finishes after the announcement of the results. It is a continuous process of overlapping activities involved with many different stakeholders interacting and influencing each other. Also, there is no fine line between when it starts or ends. It goes as a cycle as elections periodically continue. Each activity of the cycle is highly interdependent and failure of one activity can negatively affect the integrity of the whole electoral process. (i.e. Errors in voter list or disenfranchisement of some sectors of the society can affect the entire process of the elections)
When it comes to the media engagement in the electoral process, it is important for journalists to report about the entire electoral process throughout its cycle. In general practice, many media organizations only focus on the Election Day or period after the announcement of the elections. It is necessary to focus on the pre- and post-election period as well, as each and every part and activity of the whole process affects the integrity of the elections. (i.e: Media can support the efforts of civil society to advocate for better election laws through reviewing the laws in pre- and post-election period and also review the performance of the elected members of the legislature during the post-election period)
Above diagram consists of many of the activities that different election stakeholders involved in the pre-, during and the post-election periods.
Journalists need to be well aware of the election rules and procedures in order to understand the violations of election laws by any stakeholder and irregularities in the electoral process. The media should report fairly about the political parties and their campaigning during the electoral period.
Also, the media can support the election commission on their voter education efforts to communicate the voting processes to the general public. The information could be made available in different languages.
Reliable and responsible media organizations and media practitioners are needed to play the role of a watchdog against corruption and irregularities of the electoral process. It is the role of the media to report problems and possible violations of the rules, as well as to inform voters about the issues and the political parties and candidates’ policies.
These are some of the most important areas that the media should be aware of and report on in the pre-, during and post-election periods. As mentioned above, some of the processes do not fall into one particular period which continues across the different phases of the cycle:
This provides the legal framework and system on how to conduct the elections; basically the rules of the game. In assessing laws, it is also important to contextualize how they were formed, whether they meet the international democratic principles and how they affect the overall quality of the elections. Also, the media can report on citizen’s opinions on the current system from different segments of the society. Reports and recommendations in past elections from election observers, the government, political parties and media can be used in order to assess the election system and the law.
Following are the main laws that journalists should be aware of and refer to when it comes to reporting and assessing the legal framework of elections in Myanmar:
The work of the EMB should be collegial, nonpartisan, transparent, and independent of the authorities and other political influences. In addition, the administrative structure needs broad public support if it is to be viewed as credible. Possible guide questions for assessment:
Fair constituency delimitation procedures will consider a range of information, including available demographic information, territorial integrity, geographical distribution, topography, etc. Further, polling stations should be distributed to guarantee equal access within each constituency.
This is one of the areas that the media can play a significant role that assesses the level of the voter awareness throughout the country or territory and informs the stakeholders and the public about the areas where there is a lack of voter education. The media can play an active role in educating voters as they have the ability to reach large audiences and engage with different communities in society. The media operating in ethnic languages can reach more ethnic communities.
Voter education should encourage participation by all, including members of ethnic groups, women, and other marginalized sectors. Awareness campaigns should extend throughout the territory of the country, including rural and outlying areas. The public should be well informed as to where, when, and how to vote. The public should also be educated as to why voting is important.
A comprehensive and inclusive voter registration process is key to ensure universal suffrage and the enjoyment of the fundamental right to vote and to be elected. Media should assess whether the different parts of the society have been registered in the voter roll, including the marginalized sectors such as IDPs, ethnic communities, and others.
Media should meet with various political parties and candidates to report about their views on elections and also report on their policies and election manifestos in an independent and balanced manner.
There can be few political parties contesting nationwide or even a large number of political parties contesting the elections in different areas of the country. Some parties such as ethnic parties will not have candidates in every part of the country. There will be independent candidates too. Media should be able to provide voters with equitable information about the parties contesting in the election.
It is also important to review whether or not candidates and parties have been properly allowed to participate in the electoral process.
Advance voting should be given the same amount of attention as the actual Election Day. Procedures should be designed to encourage the broadest possible participation, without compromising electoral security. Voters with special needs (such as PwDs, elderly, students, conscripts, workers, foreign service personnel, and prisoners who have retained voting rights) should be accommodated. Media should also inform the people about the advance voting procedures, who can vote, where they are taking place and the advance voting period.
Election day is one of the most important days in the whole electoral process. Media should have more coverage on the ground on election day and early preparation and planning are crucial.
The media should be aware of guidelines on media coverage of the election from the UEC [1] to identify which areas can be covered and what limitations are set, among others. It must be noted that media organizations and journalists are required to apply for special permits from the UEC [1] and its sub commissions in advance to be able to cover election day.
During the early preparations, the media can also identify the possible hotspots such areas that have historically bad records in previous elections, low voter turnout or any other places where irregularities or violence can happen due to campaigning trends or high competition among political parties.
Post-election period can be a particularly sensitive time for political parties and candidates, as well as for voters especially when there is high competition among different political parties or two main parties. Media should monitor and report on incidents of election-related human rights violations, such as post-election harassment, intimidation or violence, as well as any arrests or detentions related to the election. Also, the media need to be alert on the possibility that political parties or other stakeholders may organize protests or demonstrations in the days following the announcement of results.
In the post election period, the media also have a responsibility to report on the performance of the government and also representatives elected to the legislative bodies. People have the right to know what their representatives do in the parliament and what kind of engagement that they do during the legislative process. Also, journalists should continue reporting on the instances of such corruption and abuse of power by the elected representatives.