Voters in Burma have begun casting ballots in parliamentary elections seen as a crucial test of the country’s democratic reform progress. Candidates in Sunday polls are vying for 45 seats in the 664-seat parliament in the first by-elections since the new nominally civilian government took office in March of last year. Main opposition leader Aung […]
Burma’s Polls Open for Parliamentary Elections
Posted March 31st, 2012 at 8:25 pm (UTC-5)
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Burma Holding Parliamentary Elections Sunday
Posted March 31st, 2012 at 6:40 pm (UTC-5)
Voters in Burma go to parliamentary elections Sunday, which are seen as a crucial test of the country’s democratic reform progress. Candidates are vying for 45 seats in the 664-seat parliament in the first by-elections to be held since the new nominally civilian government took office in March of last year. Main opposition leader Aung […]
Burma’s Suu Kyi Set for Public Office
Posted March 31st, 2012 at 3:40 am (UTC-5)
Burma is finalizing arrangements Saturday for Sunday’s historic election when pro-democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest just over a year ago, is likely to be voted into parliament in the military-dominated country. Her participation in the polling has been made possible by a fragile detente with a government that has […]
Aung San Suu Kyi Cites Burmese Election Irregularities Ahead of Polls
Posted March 30th, 2012 at 10:35 am (UTC-5)
Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi says parliamentary candidates in her National League for Democracy party have campaigned in the face of threats and violence ahead of Sunday’s by-elections. But the Nobel laureate says both she and her colleagues are determined to go forward because “we think that is what our people want.” “As […]
Aung San Suu Kyi Cites Burmese Election Irregularities Ahead of Polls
Posted March 30th, 2012 at 10:20 am (UTC-5)
Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi says parliamentary candidates in her National League for Democracy party have campaigned in the face of threats and violence ahead of Sunday’s by-elections. But the Nobel laureate says both she and her colleagues are determined to go forward because “we think that is what our people want.” “As […]
Burma’s Parliament Rejects Funding for Human Rights Commission
Posted March 28th, 2012 at 5:50 am (UTC-5)
The future of Burma’s new human-rights commission is uncertain after parliament cut off funding for the organization, which was established last year amid a wave of democratic reforms. The Burmese parliament refused this month to approve a budget for the government-appointed National Commission for Human Rights, saying its creation by presidential decree did not conform […]
Burma Announces Currency Exchange Overhaul
Posted March 28th, 2012 at 5:30 am (UTC-5)
The Burmese government says it will undertake a major overhaul of its currency system as part of its program to modernize the nation’s moribund economy. The official New Light of Myanmar newspaper said Wednesday the central bank will implement a managed floating exchange rate effective April 1, the same day parliamentary by-elections will be held. […]
Burma Military Chief Defends Army’s Political Role
Posted March 27th, 2012 at 9:35 am (UTC-5)
The commander of Burma’s armed forces has defended the army’s role in national politics and says he will protect the Southeast Asian nation’s pro-military constitution. General Min Aung Hlaing spoke Tuesday to more than 10,000 troops at an annual parade marking Armed Forces Day. He said unelected members of the military, who fill 25 percent […]
Burma, UN Hold Discussions on New Media Laws
Posted March 22nd, 2012 at 4:00 am (UTC-5)
In conjunction with the Burmese government, the United Nations’ cultural agency staged the first meeting of a workshop examining the Burmese government’s relationship with the media. In Rangoon, the joint workshop held by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and officials with Burma’s Ministry of Information began with two days of discussions on […]
US Welcomes Burma’s Invitation to Observe April 1 Balloting
Posted March 21st, 2012 at 12:55 pm (UTC-5)
The United States says it has accepted Burma’s invitation to send two election observers and three journalists to monitor and report on upcoming by-elections in the Southeast Asian nation. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, speaking Wednesday, praised the invitation, calling it a “welcomed first step” by Burma’s new government as it seeks to restore […]
