Washington's new policy of engagement with Burma's military government appears to be failing, said US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell.

An estimated 300 National League for Democracy (NLD) branch offices across Burma have reopened, and Aung San Suu Kyi has issued marching orders to local office members.

The 17 individuals chosen by the Burmese regime to form the Union Election Commission are a mixture of former military officers, judges, lawyers, professors and ethnic nationals.

The Burmese junta officially annuls the results of the 1990 election in a law which was announced on Thursday, while authorizing some NLD offices to reopen.

A straw poll taken by The Irrawaddy following the publication of Burma's election law indicates widespread indifference and pessimism about the election planned for this year.

With the junta allowing no political space for a democratic process, ethnic leaders are rejecting the election.

Key leaders of the junta-sponsored Union of Solidarity and Development Association will form a new political party within days.

Detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi describes the election law recently issued by Burma's ruling military regime as “unfair,” according to her lawyer.

With many offices closed since 2003, the NLD finds that nothing remains to be reopened in some townships.

Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy must choose between expelling its leader and abandoning political principles or legally ceasing to exist.