Suu Kyi warns of election irregularities
- 12 years ago
Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been out on the campaign trail.
Thousands of enthusiastic supporters welcomed her in Mandalay on a recent stop ahead of April elections.
On Thursday, following meetings Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird she warned about irregularities in the the elections.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI SAYING:
"We have just discovered there are many, many irregularities on the voter lists, and we have applied to the elections commission to do something about this. So I would like you to watch very closely what's happening to make sure that the elections are free and fair, before you decide what the next step should be with regard to sanctions."
She offered examples.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI SAYING:
"Well for example, with regard to the irregularities in the voters list. They have to put those right. You know, a lot of dead people seem to be prepared to vote on the 1st of April, and we can't have that, can we?"
Baird said the elections will be key to Myanmar's future.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CANADA FOREIGN MINISTER JOHN BAIRD SAYING:
"We would love to offer additional development assistance. We would love to begin to lift sanctions, but only when we see an expression, the demonstration of the power of the ballot box."
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, is contesting 48 seats in various legislatures including the 440-seat lower house.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.
Thousands of enthusiastic supporters welcomed her in Mandalay on a recent stop ahead of April elections.
On Thursday, following meetings Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird she warned about irregularities in the the elections.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI SAYING:
"We have just discovered there are many, many irregularities on the voter lists, and we have applied to the elections commission to do something about this. So I would like you to watch very closely what's happening to make sure that the elections are free and fair, before you decide what the next step should be with regard to sanctions."
She offered examples.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PRO-DEMOCRACY LEADER AUNG SAN SUU KYI SAYING:
"Well for example, with regard to the irregularities in the voters list. They have to put those right. You know, a lot of dead people seem to be prepared to vote on the 1st of April, and we can't have that, can we?"
Baird said the elections will be key to Myanmar's future.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CANADA FOREIGN MINISTER JOHN BAIRD SAYING:
"We would love to offer additional development assistance. We would love to begin to lift sanctions, but only when we see an expression, the demonstration of the power of the ballot box."
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party, is contesting 48 seats in various legislatures including the 440-seat lower house.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.