MYANMAR JUNTA’S PLANNED ELECTIONS: FALLING SHORT OF DEMOCRATIC LEGITIMACY More importantly, the introduction of EVMs in Myanmar was a top-down decision made without any consultation or input from stakeholders. Political parties have received some information from the UEC about the machines, but appear to still have misconceptions and questions, demonstrating that they remain unfamiliar with the voting process and are unable to appropriately educate voters on the matter. In contrast, India followed a structured path towards EVM adoption, introducing the machines gradually through legal reforms, pilot testing, and political consensus-building over more than two decades. After a first trial in 1982, EVMs were rolled out progressively beginning in 1998, then expanded in 2001, and used nationwide for the first time in the 2004 general election. Despite this careful and consultative approach, allegations of EVM tampering and electoral fraud have periodically been raised by opposition parties in India, particularly after contentious election results. However, these claims have not been substantiated by independent audits or the Election Commission of India. Myanmar’s election commission has forcibly introduced EVMs without prior consultation of stakeholders and with little transparency around their procurement. While the machines are believed to have been sourced in whole or in part from India despite claims of domestic manufacture, the key concern lies in the lack of openness and clarity in the process. Applicable international standards: • Global Network for Securing Electoral Integrity, Principles for Democratic Election Reform Processes, principles 1: “Political consensus building is foundational to any electoral reform process.” and 2: “Electoral reform processes should be transparent.” 56