ASEAN to discuss Myanmar election observers at October summit

11/10/2025 12:24

Myanmar's junta has invited the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to send observers for planned year-end elections, and the bloc will discuss the request during a regional summit later this month, Malaysia's foreign ministry has said.



The invitation to send election observers was extended to all ASEAN member states, the ministry said in a statement on Friday night.



"The foreign minister noted the invitation extended to ASEAN member states to send election observers. For Malaysia, the invitation was addressed to Malaysia's Election Commission," the ministry said.



The statement did not refer to reports in Myanmar's state media on Friday that Malaysia will send observer teams for the contentious general election, set to be held in phases starting December 28.



The announcement came after talks were held between Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan in Myanmar's capital of Naypyitaw on Thursday.



Critics and many Western nations view the election as a sham exercise designed to legitimise the military's rule via proxy political parties.