RANGOON — If the pro-regime Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) succeeds in ensuring that only its own candidates contest many of the constituencies in the Nov. 7 election it could face a big show of popular defiance.

In a major shake-up within the Burmese military leadership, several high-ranking senior officers have reportedly resigned in order to join the Union Solidarity and Development Party.

Several top leaders of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) are likely to form a political party to contest the general election on Nov.7, according to sources close to the DKBA.

Burma's election results will be predictable by Sept. 10, when the Election Commission formally approves political party candidates who will seek parliamentary seats in the election.

A veteran Burmese politician contesting upcoming elections says the political party backed by the ruling military junta will easily win the most seats because challengers face financial and other handicaps.

The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) led by Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein opened all its offices nationwide, including the party headquarters in Napyidaw, on Friday morning.

Burma's Election Commission (EC) told four leaders of the National Democratic Force (NDF) to make a second appeal to the government to clear their past acts of “treason” before they would be allowed to take part in this year's election.

The chairman of the Chin Progressive Party says his party is struggling just to finance its candidates' registration fees for the upcoming election.

Leaders of Burma's main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), have decided to officially boycott the Nov 7. election, according to Ohn Kyaing, a party spokesperson.

RANGOON — The junta's largest proxy party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), led by Prime Minister Thein Sein and former military officials, will open offices across the country on Friday, according to a party official.