16 new parties seek to participate in Myanmar polls

YANGON - Sixteen new political parties in Myanmar have sought registration with the Union Election Commission for the upcoming general election in the country, Xinhua reported Friday.

Of the 10 parties already registered since 1990 general election, three have applied for re-registration, the commission said in a radio broadcast.

However, the commission warned that the remaining old parties will also have to do so by May 6 or will be automatically revoked as per the party registration law enacted March 8 this year.

Blaming the tough restrictions of the party registration law, the National League for Democracy (NLD), one of the 10 old parties, has decided against re-registration and faces dissolution if the deadline expires.

Myanmar government announced a seven-step roadmap in August 2003 to draft a new constitution, hold a national referendum on the draft constitution, conduct general election and form a new civilian government.