Myanmar election commission promises free, fair by-elections

NAY PYI TAW, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's Union Election Commission promised to the public Wednesday that the upcoming April 1 by-elections will be free and fair.

Telling the press in Nay Pyi Taw four days ahead of the scheduled by-elections, U Tin Aye, chairman of the commission, disclosed that 159 international observers have been granted to watch the by-elections, saying that it is the duty for the commission to hold the by-elections free and fair no matter whether foreign sanctions are lifted or not.

He said newsmen are not allowed in the polling stations to cover news for allegedly disturbing the secret polling system but are possible outside the polling booths.

He assured that there will be no irregularities with the advance voting and insisted the cancellation of the holding of by- elections in three constituencies in northernmost ethnic Kachin state -- Mogaung, Bahmo and Phakant as announced earlier.

The results of the by-elections will be released within a week after the elections.

According to the commission, a total of 157 candidates from 17 political parties will run for the by-elections.

Of the 157 candidates, 129 will contest for 37 seats of the House of Representatives, while 22 candidates for 6 seats of the House of Nationalities and 6 candidates for 2 seats of the Region or State parliament.

Editor: Yang Lina

 

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