Francis Khoo Thwe

In the first free elections in 25 years, the opposition is heading for a landslide victory. Ms Suu Kyi is expected to play a key role in the new government. Ruling party admits defeat. In Kachin State, the turnout was good. Some isolated irregularities were recorded, but Rohingya were excluded. International community welcomes the outcome but now all eyes are on the military.

In case of victory at the polls, the "Lady" will be at the head of the executive and "above the president." The Nobel Laureate spares no criticism of the election campaign and the Commission, which has failed to prevent irregularities. New appeal by Cardinal Bo: "vote without fear or favor."

The archbishop of Yangon talks to AsiaNews about his country’s democratic process. “[T]hough painful, [it] is in full flow now.” Despite fears about vote rigging, he does not expect the “merchants of hatred to turn this election into a nightmare.” He calls on Catholics to vote for candidates who promote justice and compassion.

Around a hundred people are still held in prison as prisoners of conscience, including five Christians from ethnic minorities. Some 60 students are also in prison for protesting against the government’s education reform. The NLD’s deputy chairman is favourable to a general amnesty.

Officials with the Ministry of Religious Affairs approached the cardinal before he left for Rome to ask him to use "Bengali" or Muslim Rakhine in lieu of the controversial term at meetings with the pontiff. Sectarian tensions are rising as elections approach. Myanmar’s government and military are pursuing a strategy of stirring tensions to stay in power.

Rain and mudslides have cut communications, delaying registration in at least 14 townships. Fighting in some areas has made it hard to send staff and equipment to polling stations. For the archbishop of Yangon, elections are "exercise of democracy" and voters must vet candidates and parties that promote "peace and reconciliation".

A source tells AsiaNews that 22 elderly and disabled civilians are trapped in their homes amid fighting in Mansi, a village in Banmaw district. So far, more than 250 people have been evacuated. Despite government statements, the prospects for a peace deal remain distant.

For the archbishop of Yangon, national unity is threatened by anti-Muslim legislation sponsored by the country’s Buddhist extremists. The real enemy is the “religion of poverty,” which affects 30 per cent of the population, 70 per cent in some states. Only working together can give Myanmar hope for the future.

Election campaign begins two months before the vote on 8 November. More than 30 million citizens to the polls. The opposition leader post a message on social networks, advocating a "real change in the political and administrative" structure. An invitation to the international community to monitor the elections and the results.

The students are protesting the refusal by the authorities to let them out on bail to take exams scheduled for September. The four students, who are from a Mandalay university, were arrested on July 1 for demonstrating against education reform. For Myanmar activists, the four have been abused and denied their basic rights.

Myanmar’s main opposition leader and the speaker of the lower house of parliament might be considering an alliance for the upcoming parliamentary election. Removed as chairman of his party, Shwe Mann is considered a prominent moderate figure. For a Catholic observer, an alliance between the two would be a good thing, but its impact on the election is hard to measure.

Card Charles Bo celebrated the opening Mass of a two-day seminar of Asian bishops on climate change. Myanmar is a clear case of the consequences of global warming. In his homily, the prelate called on Catholics to defend the natural environment. Meanwhile, ordinary Myanmese continue their efforts to help victims of recent floods.