Burmese junta chief confirms election plan

04/01/2010 - 07:41:52

Burma’s ruling junta chief said general elections will be held this year but gave no date.

Senior General Than Shwe, in an Independence Day message today, said a seven-step roadmap was the only way for the country to move toward democracy, noting that a constitution had been overwhelmingly adopted.

Critics said the constitution and elections will merely perpetuate military rule under a civilian guise.

Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, now under house arrest, will be unable to participate in the voting.

Gen Than Shwe said in a message printed in state-run newspapers: “Plans are under way to hold the elections in a systematic way this year and the entire people have to make correct choices.”

The message did not clarify what was meant by “correct choices” but was widely assumed to urge voters to support military-backed political parties.