Myanmar sets procedures for parliamentary candidates for canvass

Myanmar's government-appointed Union Election Commission has issued a notification regarding the procedures for parliamentary candidates to follow for assembly and canvass ahead of the country's multi-party general election scheduled for Nov. 7.

Parliamentary candidates representing respective political parties contesting in the election are to apply to the sub- commissions concerned seven days ahead if they want to assemble and give speeches at a designated place, while those wanting to do so at their own party headquarters or branches are to report to the sub-commissions concerned in advance but without need for application, the notification states.

The notification prohibits holding flags and chanting slogans in procession in going to the assembly point.

It also prohibits holding sticks, knives, weapons and ammunition and any harmful object for security purpose.

The assembly permit may be amended or revoked for the sake of security and the rule of law and peace if necessary, it warned.

The security forces may intervene "to provide protection in order that the process assembly cannot be harmed", the notification also warned.

The commission, has on the last three days, set 330 constituencies for parliamentary house of representatives election, 12 constituencies for parliamentary house of nationalities election and one constituency for election of parliamentary representatives for each ethnic minority in each region or state across the country in running the election.

So far, the commission has granted legal registration of a total of 40 political parties out of 47 which sought for entering the polls. The remaining seven are awaiting for approval.

The 40 contesting political parties are made up of 35 new and 5 old parties left by the 1990 general election.

Last Friday, along with the polling date announcement, the commission also set Aug. 16-30 for submission of the names of contesting candidates for the constituencies of the respective parliaments.

Myanmar government announced a seven-step roadmap in August 2003 which mainly include the reconvening of national convention, drafting of new state constitution, holding of national referendum on drafted constitution, sponsoring general election and formation of a new "civilian" government.

Source: Xinhua