[wanabidii] Press Releases: Concerns about Burma's Candidate Disqualifications

You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Press Releases: Concerns about Burma's Candidate Disqualifications 09/17/2015 03:12 PM EDT Concerns about Burma's Candidate Disqualifications Press Statement John Kirby Department Spokesperson Washington, DC September 17, 2015 The United States is concerned about the disqualification of approximately 100 candidates for Burma’s upcoming general election, with over half of the cases rejected based on questions of citizenship. We are aware of reports that almost all Muslim candidates have been disqualified -- including some current members of parliament -- yet the relevant authorities have yet to provide the specific reasons for which they did not meet these criteria. These elections are vitally important for Burma’s people and its future. However, there are concerns about the constitutional provision that reserves 25 percent of parliamentary seats for the military and the disenfranchisement of temporary registration certificate holders. The move to disqualify some 100 candidates, through an opaque and discriminatory process, risks undermining the confidence of the Burmese people and the international community in these elections. We urge the Burmese authorities to redouble their efforts to address these concerns and ensure that the upcoming elections constitute a step forward for the country. The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. Stay connected with the State Department:       External links found in this content or on Department of State websites that go to other non-Department websites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.  Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of State. This email was sent to wanabidii@googlegroups.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Department of State · 2201 C Street NW · Washington, DC 20520

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