Moving one step closer to staging of elections on a date yet to be specified, the Myanmar junta has set the ground rules for contestants. These rules effectively bar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from entering the fray, though her party will be free to contest

The Political Parties Registration Law published on Wednesday Mar 10, stipulates that a party must be registered to be recognized. Anyone convicted by a court of law should not be a member of a registered party. This provision in effect may force National League for Democracy (NLD) to ‘expel’ its star campaigner, Suu Kyi.

The regime enacted five election-related laws on Monday, March 8. Two of these have now been made public. Three more are expected to be unveiled in coming days.

The government announced in 2008 that elections will take place sometime in 2010. Suu Kyi’s party had won the last elections held in 1990 but the military rejected the verdict.

The Junta has set up a five-member Election Commission to conduct the polls. The commission is empowered to draw up constituencies, compile electoral rolls, and monitor the conduct of political parties. It has the power to postpone voting in individual constituencies in cases of natural disaster or due to the local security situation.

The forthcoming election is for the Lower House – a 440-member House of Representatives with one-quarter of the seats reserved for military leaders.  The second chamber of parliament – the 224-member House of Nationalities will have 168 elected politicians and 56 members nominated by the military chief.