Myanmar’s first parliamentary elections in 25 years were held in November 2015. After casting their vote, millions of voters dipped their finger in ink. Ink is an easy and reliable way to make sure that no one votes more than once. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) distributed the ink bottles and guided the local authorities on how to prevent election fraud in the 45,000 voting locations.

UNDP supports some 40–50 elections across the globe every year, working together with authorities, civil society, media, political parties, and parliaments. There are more to election results that accurately reflect the will of the people than what happens on the election day. That is why UNDP takes into account the arrangements throughout the election process: what happens before, during and after the election day. Finland finances UNDP’s efforts to ensure democratic governance from development cooperation funds.

Photo: Thuy Hang Thi To / UNDP Myanmar, graphics: Juho Hiilivirta