YANGON, Aug 13 (DPA) - Myanmar's election commission has set Nov 7 as the date for a much-awaited general election, national television announced Friday.
Military-ruled Myanmar, also called Burma, last held an election in 1990. It was won by a landslide by the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), headed by pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
The ruling junta refused to hand over power to the NLD, claiming a new constitution was needed before civilian rule was feasible. It has kept Suu Kyi under house arrest for 15 of the past 20 years.
Suu Kyi, whose latest 18-month detention term started May 27 last year, is now likely to be freed about Nov 27.
Neither she nor her party will be contesting the polls.
YANGON, Aug 13 (DPA) - Myanmar's election commission has set Nov 7 as the date for a much-awaited general election, national television announced Friday.
Military-ruled Myanmar, also called Burma, last held an election in 1990. It was won by a landslide by the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), headed by pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi.
The ruling junta refused to hand over power to the NLD, claiming a new constitution was needed before civilian rule was feasible. It has kept Suu Kyi under house arrest for 15 of the past 20 years.
Suu Kyi, whose latest 18-month detention term started May 27 last year, is now likely to be freed about Nov 27.
Neither she nor her party will be contesting the polls.
