Myanmar sets Nov 7 election date

Aug 13, 2010 |

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Myanmar's election commission has set November 7 as the date for a much-awaited general election, national television announced on 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 November 27.

Neither she nor her party will be contesting the polls.

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