Burma's opposition Democratic Party (DP) has written to the Election Commission (EC) complaining of official intimidation after the EC passed the list of its members to the police Special Branch.

The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) led by Burma's current prime minister is campaigning aggressively by distributing loans at below-market rates, mainly in central Burma and Arakan State, according to the local sources.

The chairman of the Union Democratic Party (UDP), Phyo Min Thein, has resigned, saying the ruling junta’s election will not be free and fair.

Burma's state-run press warns "subversives" that anyone who disrupts the country's first elections in two decades could face up to 20 years in prison.

Lt-Gen. Myint Swe of the Ministry of Defense told security officials on Monday to increase national security during December, according to military sources.

The United Wa State Army, Burma's largest ethnic armed cease-fire group in northern Shan State, says it will ban political party campaigns in areas under its control.

Four leaders of the National Democratic Force (NDF), a party formed by former members of the recently disbanded National League for Democracy (NLD), have been told they must seek a pardon for past acts of treason before they will be allowed to run in this year's election.

The formation of the Union Solidarity and Development Party is “due to the call of history,” according to its constitution.

Though the election law forbids government officials from taking part in the poll, regime ministers are   starting to organize their campaigns.

A document leaked to the press this week gives details on how the regime-backed USDP plans to fix the election.