Carter Watches From Afar As His Center Monitors Myanmar Vote

FILE - In this April 11, 2010 file photo, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, front left, observes a polling station for Sudan's first multiparty elections in decades in Khartoum. Afflicted by cancer, former President Jimmy Carter won�t be present for Myanmar�s watershed election Sunday. But the center founded will, monitoring a vote in a crisis-ridden corner of the world for the 101st time to ensure polling is free and credible. (AP Photo/Abd Raouf, File)
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YANGON, cycling holiday myanmar (AP) - Afflicted by cancer, former President Jimmy Carter won't be present for cycling holiday myanmar's watershed election Sunday. But the center he founded will be there - monitoring a vote in a crisis-ridden corner of the world for the 101st time to ensure polling is free and credible.

The Carter Center's 70 monitors, supported by local personnel, are the first Americans to monitor an election in this Southeast Asian country, ruled by the military for half a century and still under its long shadow. The government's invitation reflects how much U.S.-Myanmar Adventure Tours ties have improved since tentative reforms were introduced in 2011.

"This election is an important one in Myanmar's ongoing democratic transition. We are pleased and honored to be here," said Jason Carter, delegation co-leader and grandson of the president.

They have plenty of company. In stark contrast to decades past, the government has opened its doors wide to observers from 28 countries, who together with local watchdogs number nearly 11,000.

Eric Bjornlund, president of U.S.-based Democracy International, said the Carter Center stands out because of pioneering election work in 38 countries in which it helped establish international norms and introduced innovative techniques. It was also a prime mover in the adoption of the Declaration of Principles for International Observation.