The Burmese regime has reportedly already selected several former high-ranking military officials as the future chief ministers for regional and state governments to be formed after the Nov. 7 election. (more…)

People showed their rejection of the upcoming junta-run election by pasting up posters today in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, northern Burma, according to civilian activists. (more…)

POLITICAL analysts have called on parties to reconsider the use of traditional organisational structures after a democratic political grouping was wracked by infighting within two weeks of its formation. (more…)

Mae Sot, Thailand—For six years, Thiha Yazar was isolated from the world in a prison cell in eastern Burma. The prison guards had been ordered not to communicate with him. (more…)

Jakarta – As Myanmar’s first election in 20 years loses credibility, experts and activists are urging other ASEAN members to ask Myanmar to loosen up on restrictions on poll observers. (more…)

Rwanda and Syria joined a list of the 10 most repressive countries toward journalists alongside North Korea, Myanmar, China and Iran, according to a global media watchdog which warned Tuesday that the crackdown on reporters in authoritarian countries is worsening. (more…)

Looming elections in Burma will only be credible if opposition leaders and ethnic minorities can fully participate, the UN’s special rapporteur to Burma has said. (more…)

Beijing – Myanmar’s secretive election is still a few weeks off, but one winner is already clear: China. (more…)

On November 7 Burma goes to the polls, for the first time in twenty years. The elections will be neither free nor fair, and are likely to result in military-dominated national and provincial administrations. However, a large number of independent parties will participate, hoping that this imperfect process will at least bring some change, slowly opening up accountability and political debate in a country dominated by the military for half a century. Will the polls have the minimal credibility for them to be endorsed by western countries? China, India andother regional powers are likely to have fewer scruples. (more…)

Bangkok – As military-ruled Burma heads towards its first general election in two decades in November, its citizens are tuning in to their enduring faith in the old communication order – the power of the radio. (more…)