Opposition Boycotting Myanmar Election

Move means Suu Kyi's party will be dissolved and its assets seized
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 30, 2010 3:58 AM CDT
Opposition Boycotting Myanmar Election
Members of the detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party sit outside the party's headquarters yesterday.   (AP Photo/Khin Maung Win)

Any hope Myanmar's military junta may have had of its elections this year not being considered a sham vanished yesterday as Aung Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy announced it would not be participating, The move—which follows the introduction of a law banning Suu Kyi from standing for election—means the party will be dissolved and its assets seized under the country's new election laws, the New York Times reports.

"We will continue to pursue, through peaceful means, democracy and human rights with support, understanding and assistance from the people, ethnic nationalities and democratic forces," the NLD's vice-chairman said. Suu Kyi had urged the party not to take part in the elections, calling the process undemocratic. The party swept to victory when elections were last held 20 years ago, but the junta refused to recognize the result.
(More National League for Democracy stories.)

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