6,065 candidates to compete in upcoming election in Myanmar

A total of 6,065 candidates will compete for seats in parliament in Myanmar's upcoming general election set for Nov. 8, according to the latest candidate figures disclosed by the Union Election Commission on Saturday.

Chairman of the election commission U Tin Aye told foreign diplomats and observers in Nay Pyi Taw that the candidates include 800 female or 13.2 percent of the total.

The commission has cancelled holding of the general election in some five townships out of the country's 330 townships and 404 village-tracts for security reason, according to an announcement of the commission earlier.

These areas in five states and region include 212 village tracts in Kachin state, 94 village tracts in Kayin state, 41 village tracts in Bago region, one village tract in Mon state and five townships and 56 village tracts in Shan state.

The five townships in Shan state go to Pansai, Panwaing, Mongmaw, Naphan and Mongla.

The commission has set Nov. 8 to hold the 2015 general election nationwide participated by candidates nominated from 91 political parties and 310 independents.

The commission designated 1,163 constituencies for the vote at four levels of the parliament across the country, namely the House of Representatives (Lower House), the House of Nationalities (Upper House), the Region or State Parliament and national race representatives.

There are 35 million eligible voters in the country, according to U Tin Aye.

The election commission is opening a total of 40,516 polling booths in the country, most of which lie in Yangon, Mandalay, Ayeyawaddy, Bago and Magway regions.

Election campaign by political parties and independents at home have been in full swing since it started on Sept. 8 but will end on Nov. 6, two days before the election.

Meanwhile, the number of overseas Myanmar casting advance votes abroad for the Nov. 8 general election reached 22,187 as of Wednesday since Oct. 13, according to an official report Friday.

Myanmar has set up polling stations at its 44 embassies and consulates around the world for advance vote casting by its more than 29,000 overseas citizens deemed eligible to vote.

Domestically, advance voting, which will run from Oct. 29 to Nov. 7, will be allowed for such eligible persons as government officials, political candidates, local observers and media personnel.

The government has also prepared to deploy 40,000 specially-trained police force nationwide to guard the polling. Endit