Myanmar polls set for Nov 7

Ap, Yangon

Myanmar's ruling military junta announced yesterday that the country's first elections in two decades will be held Nov 7, finally setting a date for polls that critics have dismissed as a sham designed to cement military rule.

Foreign governments have urged Myanmar to ensure the elections are open, fair and include the party of detained pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. Her party, however, has decided to boycott the vote, saying the junta has imposed unfair rules that restrict campaigning and effectively bar the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and other political prisoners from participating.

The election date is another symbolic blow to Suu Kyi's chances of taking part it falls just days before her current term of house arrest is due to expire on Nov 13.