Burmese election commission bans ‘marching and chanting’ that tarnishes nation’s image

NAYPYIDAW - Ahead of Burma’s historic elections, the election commission has warned political parties that they cannot chant, march or say anything during rallies that would tarnish the country’s image.

The restrictions are part of the 14-article directive published by the commission that governs how parties recruit new members.

All parties contesting elections planned for later this year are required to have at least 1,000 members within 90 days of being granted registration.

The directive said that parties that want to hold gatherings outside their own headquarters must seek permission a week in advance and abide by several restrictions, The Scotsman reports.

It prohibits the act of marching to a designated gathering point, holding flags or “marching and chanting slogans in procession”.

It also bars “giving talks and distributing publications with the intention of tarnishing the image of the state”.

The commission has approved 33 new political parties so far, while five existing parties have re-registered to contest the polls. (ANI)