Burma's election commission allows Suu Kyi to run for parliamentary by-elections

Rangoon, Feb 6 (ANI): Burma's election commission has reportedly allowed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to run for parliamentary by-elections.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi had earlier announced her intention to run in the April elections, but was waiting for official approval from the commission, which said it had to scrutinise her eligibility.

Now, the commission has given Suu Kyi a green signal, saying it has no objection to her bid and officially accepted her candidacy, express.co.uk reports.

After nearly half a century of iron-fisted military rule in Burma, a nominally civilian government took office last March. The April polls are being held to fill 48 seats vacated by politicians appointed to the cabinet and other posts.

A spokesman for Suu Kyi's party said the commission approved her candidacy and would make a formal announcement later.

"There is no objection to her nomination and we can say that her candidacy is officially accepted," Nyan Win said.

A nominally civilian government took office last March, surprising many by releasing hundreds of political prisoners, signing ceasefire deals with ethnic rebels, increasing media freedom and easing censorship laws.

Burma's government hopes the rapid changes will prompt the West to lift economic sanctions imposed on the country during the military junta's rule. (ANI)