Myanmar Appoints New
Electoral Commission
Myanmar's
military junta has appointed a new election commission ahead of
polls this year.
The seventeen-member commission is to be headed by Thein Soe.
The commission will amongst its duties announce dates for
upcoming elections promised by the ruling generals some time
this year.
Analysts say the most likely time for the polls is October or
November.
New election laws
Burma's military rulers also announced new election laws.
The law prohibits political prisoners - including the
pro-democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi - from participating in
forthcoming elections.
Condemnation
A US State Department spokesman, Philip Crowley, said it made a
mockery of the democratic process.
Philippine Foreign Secretary, Alberto Romulo described it as a
complete farce and therefore contrary to the roadmap to
democracy.
Condemnation also came from the UN and Britain.
Suu Kyi’s office reopens
Meanwhile, the military government has allowed the party of
detained Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to reopen regional
branch offices that have been closed since May 2003.
A spokesman for the National League for Democracy (NLD) said
about one hundred branch offices have been reopened across the
country so far.
The government closed down NLD branch offices after an attack on
Suu Kyi's convoy by pro-regime elements on May 30, 2003.
Nyan Win, who welcomed the government's move as a positive step
said his party will have to decide whether it will take part in
the election.
REUTERS/BBC/ Williams/Yinka
