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| Burma postpones by-elections in troubled Kachin state | Burma postpones by-elections in troubled Kachin state |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Burma's authorities have postponed by-elections to be held in the northern state of Kachin, where fighting with ethnic rebels resumed last year. | Burma's authorities have postponed by-elections to be held in the northern state of Kachin, where fighting with ethnic rebels resumed last year. |
| They said security for the vote could not be guaranteed. | They said security for the vote could not be guaranteed. |
| Opposition candidates have questioned the decision, saying the three constituencies are in areas not directly affected by fighting. | Opposition candidates have questioned the decision, saying the three constituencies are in areas not directly affected by fighting. |
| The opposition has also alleged that irregularities could jeopardise a free and fair vote on 1 April. | The opposition has also alleged that irregularities could jeopardise a free and fair vote on 1 April. |
| The National League for Democracy says some of its candidates have been harassed and that in some areas the electoral registers are out of date. | The National League for Democracy says some of its candidates have been harassed and that in some areas the electoral registers are out of date. |
| Human rights groups have accused Burmese troops of serious human rights abuses in an offensive against Kachin rebels that has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. | Human rights groups have accused Burmese troops of serious human rights abuses in an offensive against Kachin rebels that has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes. |
| Conflicts between Burma's central government and rebels from the various ethnic minority groups have flared sporadically over the decades since the country gained independence. | Conflicts between Burma's central government and rebels from the various ethnic minority groups have flared sporadically over the decades since the country gained independence. |
| The government is trying to sign ceasefires with rebel groups in preparation for further political discussions. Attempts to end the fighting in Kachin state have proved difficult. | The government is trying to sign ceasefires with rebel groups in preparation for further political discussions. Attempts to end the fighting in Kachin state have proved difficult. |
| The Kachin have so far refused to sign any agreement before political issues are resolved, but are now entering into talks. | The Kachin have so far refused to sign any agreement before political issues are resolved, but are now entering into talks. |
| Crucial test | Crucial test |
| Following Friday's announcement, by-elections are now scheduled to take place in 45 constituencies on 1 April. | Following Friday's announcement, by-elections are now scheduled to take place in 45 constituencies on 1 April. |
| The NLD of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is fielding candidates in most of the seats up for grabs. | The NLD of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is fielding candidates in most of the seats up for grabs. |
| But with days to go to the vote, the party says thousands of dead people remain on Burma's electoral roll. | But with days to go to the vote, the party says thousands of dead people remain on Burma's electoral roll. |
| The NLD also said households had complained that some family members had been excluded from the voter list. | The NLD also said households had complained that some family members had been excluded from the voter list. |
| It also cited what it said were instances of harassment. | It also cited what it said were instances of harassment. |
| In one example cited, the party said the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) had set fire to a haystack near where an NLD candidate was giving a speech in Sagaing in the north-west of the country. | In one example cited, the party said the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) had set fire to a haystack near where an NLD candidate was giving a speech in Sagaing in the north-west of the country. |
| In Irrawaddy, the party said a government minister had campaigned for the USDP, breaching electoral rules. | In Irrawaddy, the party said a government minister had campaigned for the USDP, breaching electoral rules. |
| "The NLD thinks that these kind of incidents can impact on whether the elections are free and fair," a party statement said. | "The NLD thinks that these kind of incidents can impact on whether the elections are free and fair," a party statement said. |
| The 1 April vote is seen as a crucial test of reforms. Asean, the US, the EU and China are among those who have been approached to monitor voting. | The 1 April vote is seen as a crucial test of reforms. Asean, the US, the EU and China are among those who have been approached to monitor voting. |
| Correspondents say the by-elections - in which Ms Aung Sang Suu Kyi is competing for the first time since 1990 - are hugely symbolic. | Correspondents say the by-elections - in which Ms Aung Sang Suu Kyi is competing for the first time since 1990 - are hugely symbolic. |
| If they are seen as free and fair, it could pave the way for the lifting of foreign sanctions against Burma. | If they are seen as free and fair, it could pave the way for the lifting of foreign sanctions against Burma. |
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