Yangon (AsiaNews / Agencies) - November 7th next is the date that has been fixed by the junta for the country's parliamentary elections, the first after 20 years. The date was published in the press and on state media.
The last elections took place in 1990 won by Aung San Suu Kyi and her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). The junta has never allowed either her or the Nld to exercise power and ordered the leader to years of house arrest.
The international community has frequently pressed for free elections in the country. But the junta waited until it had changed the constitution and ensure a certain victory, with rules that eliminate competition from Aung San Suu Kyi, religious figures, political opponents and guarantee the military 25% of seats in parliament.
The NLD decided to boycott the elections, considered a farce. But there are at least 40 parties registered on the lists. Among them, the junta USDA party led by Thein Sein, Prime Minister of the military government, is the most powerful.