New Delhi (Mizzima) – Burma’s election commission has said political parties that wish to participate in the forthcoming elections will be required to pay 300,000 kyat (US $300) as a registration fee with candidates allowed to spend up to 10 million kyat (US $10,000) on canvassing.
The rule, announced by the election commission on March 17th, also states that political party applications must have the signatures of their respective Chairman and Secretary.
Moreover, political parties are required to submit a list of members within 90 days, with parties intending to compete nationally mandated to secure a following of at least 1,000 persons.
While candidates are permitted to spend up to 10 million kyat in canvassing, a politician in Rangoon who aims to run for office said many prospective candidates are not wealthy cannot hope to spend the maximum amount allotted.
“I only hope that the election will be free and fair instead of spending so much on canvassing. Many of us do not have much money,” the politician said.
