A group of foreign tourists will explore Myanmar by hot air balloon this month.
THE government ended months of speculation last week when it announced that Myanmar’s first election in 20 years will be held on November 7.

The announcement, broadcast on MRTV-4 on August 13, gave political parties 86 days to prepare for the election. The long-awaited decision drew a mixed response from political parties, with some saying they were ready to contest the election. The information officer of the Democratic Party (Myanmar), U Hla Myint, said his party was not surprised by the announcement as it had expected that the election would be held in November. He said that while the November 7 date provides only a short time for campaigning, it will be adequate for the party, due to the support it is receiving from the public. But he added that the party was concerned about the cost of campaigning, because of regulations requiring each candidate to pay a registration fee of K500,000.

“We have already opened offices in Mandalay, Bago and Ayeyarwady divisions, and that shows that we have support from the public,” he said.

A spokesperson for the National Political Alliance, U Ohn Lwin, said he did not have high hopes for the coming election.

“You cannot expect a lot in the first election in 20 years,” he said. But the announcement of the election date was welcomed by the chairman of the Chin National Party, U Zon Zam. “The party is ready to contest the election and we warmly welcome the announcement,” he said.
The Union Solidarity and Development Party declined to comment on the announcement.

                                                                                                                                    source: THE MYANMARTIMES.