Western countries have accused Myanmar's ruling junta of discrimination against members of Rohingya minorities and urged the government to ensure that they have safe and secure access to polling stations to vote in landmark parliamentary elections on Sunday, Nov. 8.
"We remain troubled by forced labour, inter-communal tensions, government actions that have rendered members of the Rohingya population stateless and laws that restrict the exercise of freedoms of religion, peaceful assembly and expression," the U.S. delegate Jessica Carl told a meeting of United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Friday, according to Reuters.
"A vote that is credible, inclusive and transparent and which represents the will of the people would stand as a lasting legacy for the government," Britain's Ambassador Julian Braithwaite said.
President U Thein Sein's administration, however, continues to maintain that it is making all possible efforts to ensure that Sunday's landmark election will be free and fair.
"Our country has made progress on human rights and is trying like any other nascent democracy to overcome the challenges its facing," Myanmar's justice minister Tun Shin said in a meeting, according to Fox News.
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Thursday predicted victory for her party - National League for Democracy (NLD), claiming that she will be above the President if her party secures the majority in the National Parliament, Al Jazeera reported. Voters will elect representatives from 1,171 constituencies - 330 for House of Representatives or lower house, 168 for the House of Nationalities or upper house, and 644 for the state assemblies.
