UN chief hopeful of successful Burma poll
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he hopes reforms in military-ruled Burma will help ensure transparent polls next month.
Mr Ban said he is considering a visit to Burma after the polls.
The April 1 by-election is being held to fill 48 parliamentary seats vacated over the past year.
Mr Ban told reporters today in Malaysia that the UN is in discussions with stakeholders to “ensure that elections will be held in a credible, democratic, open and transparent manner”.
He said he has been encouraged by Burma’s reforms and added that the military’s recently announced plan to allow some foreign election observers is welcome news.
Mr Ban said the reforms have “given a greater sense of hope and expectations” to the international community.
