Myanmar proposes delaying elections due to flooding

Myanmar's Election commission on Tuesday has proposed delaying the November 8 general elections due to recent flooding that brought the Asian country to a standstill.

Union Election Commission Chairman Tin Aye told reporters that the election to choose a new parliament might be delayed, as reported by agencies.

Photo: AFP PHOTO / Ye Aung THU

The opposition National League for Democracy party headed by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has opposed the delay.

The general election will reportedly be followed by a presidential election early in 2016, when the army and the elected members of parliament nominate a total of three candidates.

Meanwhile, experts and analysts claim that these elections are Myanmar's best chance to move towards a complete democracy and also address issues such as missing voters list and the crisis faced by Rohingya community.

Photo: Nicolas Kovarik/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Myanmar has faced international criticism for neglecting and targeting its Muslim communities such as Rohingya, who are fleeing the country for fear of persecution.