RANGOON — Sales of gold have increased across Burma as people fear instability and unrest in the wake of the country's first general election in 20 years on Sunday.

Burma's controversial election, its first in twenty years, is now at the doorstep. This is not a typical election, and the most important decision the Burmese public must make on Sunday is not which party to vote for, but whether or not to vote at all. That decision will apparently be made in an atmosphere of confusion and fear.

RANGOON — Election authorities in military-ruled Burma canceled voting in Sunday's elections in more areas where restive ethnic minorities are dominant.

While activists are stepping up the election boycott campaign, Burmese authorities have beefed up security forces in Rangoon in preparation for the election in five days, Rangoon sources said.

Political parties contesting the Nov. 7 election in Burma need sufficient monitors to ensure transparency, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) said on Tuesday.

Campaigners for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), the Burmese military regime's proxy party, have been warning Burmese journalists working for foreign media organizations not to photograph or film party members who are out campaigning.

Burma’s Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPT) has sealed off Internet access for Internet cafes and businesses, according to experts on Burma's Internet infrastructure.

RANGOON — Foreign diplomats and Burmese journalists working for foreign news media will be able to visit carefully selected polling stations on election day, the Burmese government has announced.

A leading political party in Mon State says a lack of polling stations will prevent some voters from casting their ballots on election day, Nov.7

MAE LA REFUGEE CAMP, Thailand — It's no wonder that Saw Tun Wai has little desire to return to Burma, even after upcoming elections that its military rulers describe as a step toward democracy.