Aung San Suu Kyi’s party ’surprised’ by junta’s promise of elections

YANGON (AFP) – Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition party was “surprised” by the announcement of plans for a constitutional referendum and then democratic polls in Myanmar, saying it was “still early to talk about an election.”

“I am surprised that they set a date for an election,” said Nyan Win, spokesman for the National League for Democracy (NLD).

He said that it was premature to plan for national elections when no one has seen the final version of Myanmar’s proposed constitution, which the junta announced would be brought to voters for approval in May.

“We have to see the results of the referendum on the constitution. How can they know if it will be a success? It is still early to talk about an election.”

The military government announced in state media late Saturday that after the referendum it would hold multi-party democratic elections in 2010.