Yangon - A coalition of 14 independent candidates in Myanmar's upcoming general election on Tuesday urged voters to 'think bravely and decide bravely' in casting their ballots.
The independents, showing solidarity in their opposition to the country's ruling junta, issued a joint statement at Yangon's Trader's Hotel to outline their common position on the polls scheduled for November 7, the country's first in 20 years.
The statement vowed to uphold democratization, support beneficial laws for people and remove undemocratic laws,to seek national reconciliation and create a level playing field for the economy.
The 14 independent candidates included Tin Aye, Nay Pyi Taw, Kaung Myat Htut, Thant Zaw Oo, Yan Kyaw, Hla Shein, Saw Naing Win, and Ko Ko Win.
Some 37 parties and 14 independents have qualified to contest the upcoming polls, which observers fear will be neither free nor fair as the junta's polling regulations have already excluded large swathes of the population.
The chief opposition party, the National League for Democracy and their leader Aung San Suu Kyi have been excluded from the polls by the prisoner status of Suu Kyi, currently serving a sentence under house arrest.
Last week, the junta excluded millions of people in the northern provinces of Kachin, Karen and Shan from voting, citing security concerns.
Many potential candidates were excluded from the registration process by the 500-dollar fee per candidate. The average per capita income in Myanmar is less than 600 dollars.
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