Myanmar allows using state radio, TV for election campaigning

The Myanmar Union Election Commission announced Thursday allowing political parties to use the state-operated Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) for campaigning purpose.

The campaigning by political parties using the state radio and television will be granted for airing starting Sept. 8 to Nov. 6.

Only 15 minutes will be permitted to make speech through the radio and TV, the announcement said, adding that application for the permission is to be made seven days in advance.

The commission designated Nov. 8 to hold a general election across the country.

According to a preliminary candidate list announced by the commission, a total of 6,189 candidates including 323 independents have so far registered to run the November election.

Of the total, 5,866 candidates are nominated from 93 political parties.

According to the commission's figures, of the 1,171 constituencies designated for the vote at four levels of the parliament across the country, 330 constituencies will be contested for the Lower House, 168 for the Upper House, 644 for the Region or State Parliament and 29 for national race representatives.

The commission is still scrutinizing the nomination of candidates from political parties and the list of candidates will be finalized by the end of August.