NDI has supported international advocacy in Myanmar since 1995 and provided assistance to civil society organizations inside Myanmar to monitor the 2010 parliamentary elections, the 2012 parliamentary by-elections, 2015 parliamentary elections, 2017 and 2019 by-elections, and 2019 Yangon municipal elections.

Prior to the country’s landmark 2015 parliamentary elections, which brought new voices into the political system, NDI supported the formation of Myanmar’s first accredited citizen election observation organization, the People's Alliance for Credible Elections (PACE). For these polls, PACE and other NDI partners -- domestic monitoring groups focused on women, youth and ethnic minorities -- mobilized over 5,000 citizen monitors throughout the country. NDI currently works with national, regional and state parliamentarians, committee chairs and leadership staff to build representative and sustainable institutions. In addition, the Institute continues to support PACE and other civic groups as they conduct public opinion surveys on the public’s perceptions of governance and democratic reforms, and prepare for future election observation missions. Lastly, the Institute is expanding its program outreach to additional states and regions, with a focus on promoting inclusive public and political debate between citizens, political parties and parliaments.